To provide a detailed analysis of the Catholic Church on a global level, the Annuario Pontificio 2025 (Pontifical Yearbook) and the Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2023 were issued. These reports, prepared by the Vatican's Central Office of Church Statistics, show a significant increase in the global Catholic population between 2022 and 2023.
According to the data, the Catholic population worldwide grew by 1.15%. The number of Catholics increased from 1.39 billion in 2022 to 1.406 billion in 2023.
Africa recorded the highest growth rate, with the Catholic population rising by 3.31%—from 272 million in 2022 to 281 million in 2023. This dynamic growth is particularly notable. The Democratic Republic of Congo leads the region with 55 million Catholics, followed by countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, all of which also witnessed substantial increases. Africa now represents 20% of the global Catholic population.
The Americas remain at the forefront, accounting for the largest percentage of Catholics worldwide, with 47.8% of the total global Catholic population. Moderate growth of 0.9% was recorded across the continents during this period.
In South America, Brazil retains its position as the country with the largest number of Catholics—182 million, representing 13% of the global total. Over 90% of the populations in Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay identify as Catholic. South America hosts 27.4% of the global Catholic population, while North America accounts for 6.6% and Central America for 13.8%.
In Asia, the Catholic population grew by 0.6% between 2022 and 2023. While the continent represents only 11% of the global Catholic population, countries such as the Philippines and India host significant numbers of Catholics. The Philippines has 93 million Catholics, and India has 23 million, collectively comprising 76.7% of the Catholic population in Southeast Asia.
Europe is home to 20.4% of the global Catholic population, but population growth among Catholics remains the least dynamic on the continent.
