By Dangwam Jude Dabee
The African continent has overtaken Europe in the number of Catholics, emerging as the continent with the second-largest Catholic population in the world after the Americas, according to a new statistical report released by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency.
The report, titled Catholic Church Statistics 2026, puts Africa’s Catholic population at 288.31 million, slightly ahead of Europe’s 287.24 million, highlighting the continent’s growing importance in the global Catholic Church.
The latest figures show that the worldwide Catholic population increased by 16.69 million to reach 1.422 billion, representing 17.8 percent of the global population of nearly eight billion people.
Africa recorded the largest increase, gaining 7.58 million Catholics, followed by the Americas with 6.99 million. Asia added 968,000 Catholics, Europe recorded an increase of 911,000, while Oceania gained 239,000.
Rosary procession at the 2nd Marian Convention of Bauchi Diocese that held on 29th November 2023 at St. Andrew’s Parish, Billiri, Gombe State. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bauchi, Nigeria.
The report was prepared ahead of the 100th celebration of World Mission Sunday, observed on October 18 under the theme, “One in Christ, united in mission.” Its figures are drawn from the latest Church statistical yearbook, with Catholic population data reflecting figures as of June 30, 2024, while other statistics cover December 31, 2024. Changes were measured against 2023.
Despite Africa’s growing numbers, the Americas remain home to the largest Catholic population globally, with 678.87 million faithful. Asia follows Europe and Africa in the continental figures, with 156.17 million Catholics, while Oceania has 11.56 million.
The report also recorded a modest increase in the number of Catholic priests worldwide, marking a reversal after several years of decline. According to Fides, “For the first time in five years, there is an increase in the total number of priests in the world.”
The global number of priests rose by 425 to 407,421. Africa recorded an increase of 1,676 priests, while Asia added 1,065 and the Americas gained 199. These increases, however, were partly offset by a decline of 2,483 priests in Europe and 32 in Oceania.
Diocesan priests increased by 496 to 279,238, while religious priests declined by 71 to 128,183. The number of bishops also rose by 95 to 5,525, while permanent Deacons increased by 669 to 52,102. Despite the slight rise in priests, the average number of Catholics per priest increased by 38 to 3,491, suggesting growing pastoral demands.
The statistics further revealed a continuing decline in the number of women religious and major seminarians. Women religious fell by 9,292 to 580,131 worldwide, although Africa was the only continent to record an increase, gaining 2,190. Europe experienced the largest decline, with 6,473 fewer women religious.
The faith of Christians in the Maiduguri Diocese remains strong and vibrant despite enduring the Boko Haram insurgency for over 15 years. Every fifth Friday of Lent, Catholics gather at the Diocesan pilgrimage center, the Holy Mountain of the Cross in Whobashi, for prayers. Credit: Missio Nigeria.
Similarly, the number of major seminarians dropped by 2,891 to 103,604. Africa again recorded growth, adding 786 seminarians, while Asia experienced the sharpest decline, losing 2,733. Minor seminarians also fell by 980 to 94,041.
Beyond the ordained ministry and religious life, the report highlighted the expanding contribution of lay people to the Church’s mission. Lay missionaries increased by 18,473 to 463,079, while Catechists rose by 22,370 to 2,889,336. The Americas recorded the largest increase in lay missionaries, while Catechist numbers grew most in the Americas and Asia.
The Catholic Church’s contribution to education, healthcare and social welfare also remains substantial. According to the report, the Church operates 75,448 kindergartens, 103,666 primary schools and 51,810 secondary schools worldwide.
Its healthcare and charitable network comprises 101,110 facilities, including 5,397 hospitals and 13,646 dispensaries. Africa accounts for the largest number of hospitals and dispensaries among the continents listed in the report.
The latest figures present a picture of a global Church experiencing growth in its Catholic population and a modest recovery in priestly numbers, while confronting declining vocations among women religious and major seminarians.
For Africa, the continent’s emergence ahead of Europe in Catholic population underscores its increasingly prominent place in the Church’s worldwide presence, alongside its contribution to religious vocations, healthcare and community service.
