Religious identity in Brazil is undergoing a significant transformation.

According to the most recent demographic census from 2022, more Brazilians are stepping away from Catholicism, even though it remains the dominant religion.

These changes reflect broader social, cultural, and generational shifts across the country.

Fewer Brazilians Are Calling Themselves Catholic

The number of Brazilians who identify as Catholic has dropped notably—from 65.15% in 2010 to 56.75% in 2022.

That’s a decline of 8.4% in just 12 years, based on data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

While Catholicism still has the largest following, this steady decline signals a major shift in the spiritual landscape of Latin America’s biggest country.

Evangelicals on the Rise, Along With the Religiously Unaffiliated

Evangelical churches have gained substantial ground.

In 2010, evangelicals made up around 21.7% of Brazil’s population, but by 2022, that number had grown to 26.9%. That’s a 5.2% increase, making evangelicalism the second-largest religious group in the country.

Meanwhile, more Brazilians are also choosing not to associate with any religion.

The percentage of those identifying as having no religion rose to 9.28%, up 1.4% since 2010. These “nones” now represent a growing segment of Brazilian society, particularly among younger generations and urban dwellers.

Catholic Leaders Respond to the Decline

The shift hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Catholic Church.

During a meeting of bishops in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, Cardinal Jaime Spengler, the archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, addressed the issue.

He referred to those leaving the faith as the “dechurched” and emphasized the Church’s responsibility to reconnect with them.

“We urgently need to reinvest in Christian formation and in building small, committed faith communities,” Spengler said, calling for a more grassroots approach to keep Catholicism relevant.

Other Faiths Continue to Have a Presence

While Catholicism and evangelicalism dominate, other religions still make up a notable portion of Brazil’s spiritual diversity.

About 4.01% of the population adheres to other religious traditions.

Spiritism accounts for 1.84%, and traditional Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda and Candomblé represent 1.05% of the population.

Interestingly, followers of these Afro-Brazilian religions have more than tripled since 2010, when they made up just 0.3%.

Regional Breakdown Shows Sharp Contrasts

Religious affiliation varies significantly by region.

Here’s how the numbers play out across Brazil’s five major regions:

Northeast: Highest concentration of Catholics (63.9%)
South: 62.4% identify as Catholic
Central-West: 52.6% Catholic
Southeast: 52.24% Catholic
North: Lowest Catholic population at 50.48%

On the other hand, evangelicals dominate in the North, where they make up 36.79% of the population. That’s followed by:

Central-West: 31.39%
Southeast: 27.96%
South: 26.66%
Northeast: Lowest evangelical presence at 22.47%

Afro-Brazilian Religions Are Growing, Especially in the South and Southeast

Adherents of Umbanda and Candomblé are most concentrated in the South (1.6%) and Southeast (1.4%), with smaller communities in the Central-West (0.57%), Northeast (0.56%), and North (0.3%).

This growth suggests a cultural revival and renewed interest in these traditional faiths, especially among younger generations and in urban cultural centers.

More Brazilians Are Choosing to Have No Religion

The number of Brazilians who say they have no religious affiliation continues to rise, especially in the Southeast, where 10.5% of people say they belong to no faith.

Other regions follow closely behind:

Central-West: 8.94%
Northeast: 8.85%
North: 8.19%
South: 7.13%

This trend mirrors global patterns where secularism and individualized spirituality are growing, especially among younger demographics.

What’s Driving These Changes?

Several factors are believed to be influencing Brazil’s changing religious identity: greater access to education, urbanization, increased exposure to digital content, and growing disillusionment with traditional institutions, including the Catholic Church.

Evangelical churches often offer a more community-focused, emotionally engaging style of worship, which may appeal to people seeking belonging and purpose.

A New Religious Era for Brazil?

While Catholicism still holds the majority, the gap is narrowing.

Brazil, long known as the world’s largest Catholic country, is becoming increasingly diverse in its religious makeup.

The next few decades may reshape the country’s spiritual identity entirely, especially as young Brazilians forge their own paths.