Last Updated on September 20, 2025 by Karl Thompson
This post presents an examination of the relationship between religious belief, religious participation and age.
Younger people tend to be less religious than older people
- Recent (2018) research by PEW compared the religious beliefs and practices of 18-39 year olds with those aged 40 and over. They found that younger people are less religious than old people in 41 countries, but there are only 2 countries in which younger people are more religious. There is no difference in 60 countries.
- According to the 2011 UK census, young people are much more likely to report that they have no religion
- People aged under 25 made up 31% of the population as a whole, but 39% of those reporting they had no religion
- Those aged 65+ made up 16.5% of the population as a whole, but just 5.6% of those reporting they had no religion.
- Also according to the UK National Census, ethnic minority religions tend to have a much younger age profile than Christianity or No religion. For example, 85% of Muslims are aged under 50, compared to around 55% of Christians.
Age and participation in New Religious Movements and the New Age Movement
- Eileen Barker’s research into The Moonies (a world rejecting sect) found that the membership base was relatively young, with most members being aged between 18-30.
- The New Age Movement tends to be made up of middle aged people, especially those in their late 30s and 40s.