A remarkable turnaround in religious practice is taking hold in the United Kingdom as church attendance among Generation Z has quadrupled in recent years, reversing decades of decline in Christian affiliation.
New data from the Bible Society’s “The Quiet Revival,” based on YouGov surveys conducted in 2018 and 2024, shows that regular monthly church attendance among 18- to 24-year-olds has surged from just 4 percent in 2018 to 16 percent in 2024. A particularly striking development is that 21 percent of young men in that age group now attend church monthly, compared to only 4 percent six years ago.
Analysts including former pastor Ryan Burge have pointed out that in some metrics, Gen Z is now more likely than Millennials to be weekly religious attendees—an unexpected development in a secular age . The shift extends beyond mere attendance: denominations like Catholicism and Pentecostalism are increasing their share among younger congregants, while Anglican affiliation declines.
Observers describe Gen Z’s embrace of faith as a response to a “meaning crisis.” In an era marked by political turmoil, mental health pressures, and post-pandemic disconnection, many young adults seek spiritual grounding, community, and purpose—needs they say secular ideologies have failed to meet.
This revival is part of a broader European trend. France, for instance, has seen the highest number of adult baptisms in over two decades, signaling growth in Christian commitment elsewhere on the continent.
While the Quiet Revival signals positive momentum, experts stress that the resurgence is subtle—akin to a rising tide rather than a tidal wave. It is felt more at the cultural and individual mindset level than in packed pews across the board. Many churches still report modest gains, with concentrated growth in urban centers and certain denominations.
This surge among young Britons challenges long-held assumptions that generational religiosity is doomed. It offers insight into how faith, far from being obsolete, may be presenting itself as a meaningful anchor for those navigating a fragmented modern world.
