• ADVERTISING
  • CURRENT EDITION
  • ARCHIVES
  • RESOURCES
  • CONTACT
Search

Catholic Voice

  • Home
  • Jubilee Year
  • Assembly
  • Synod
  • Archbishop’s Voice
  • World
  • National
  • Local
  • Parishes
  • Education
  • Catholic Faith
  • Mass Online
Catholic Voice

Global Catholic population rising as number of priests, religious falls

By Vatican News24 October 2023

Marking the 97th World Mission Sunday, the Vatican has published statistics that offer a perspective of the missionary Church present all over the world. 

The report, released by the Vatican’s Fides news agency, compared the numbers on December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2020.

There were 1.375 billion Catholics in the world, representing an overall increase of 16.24 million Catholics compared to the end of 2020.

The increase affects all continents, except Europe. As in the past, increases were registered above all in Africa and in the Americas.

The global percentage of Catholics decreased slightly to 17.67 per cent. The number of bishops and priests is also decreasing. There are 5340 in the world, mostly diocesan, with religious bishops decreasing as well.

The total number of priests in the world decreased to around 407,872, a drop of 2347 priests.

The continent that registered the largest decrease was, again, Europe, with 3632 fewer priests. Increases were registered in Africa and in Asia (1518 and 719, respectively).

Diocesan priests in the world decreased by 911, while religious priests decreased by 1400.

As the number of priests decreases, the number of Catholics per priest in the world increased, so in average there are 3373 Catholics for every priest in the world, a rise of 59 people per priest.

However, the number of permanent deacons continues to increase all over the world, to 49,176.

There has been an overall decrease of women religious, with 10,588 fewer nuns. Here, too, Europe recorded the largest drop in consecrated women (7804 fewer religious women).

THE POST RECOMMENDS

Australian Bishops meet Pope Francis

Australian Bishops meet Pope Francis

ACBC Communications.- 26 June 2019

VATICAN: Pope Francis has given his apostolic blessing to the Australian Catholic bishops and encouraged them to explore new ways of being missionary in Australia. Read More

NEWER POSTSt Mary’s celebrates 100 years
OLDER POSTHundreds gather for Marian Procession

FOLLOW US

Jubilee Year 2025

Archbishop Prowse’s latest homilies

Archbishop Prowse

>> VIEW ALL EVENTS

Upcoming Events

May 31
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Alchemy Chorus Mid-year Concert

Jun 1
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Marriage & Family Sunday

Jun 7
All day

Penrose Park: Jubilee Pilgrimage

Jun 7
All day

Penrose Park: Jubilee Pilgrimage

Jun 7
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Jubilee Pilgrimage: Penrose Park

View Calendar

Archdiocesan Assembly Report

LIVESTREAM

RECENT POSTS

News in Brief

News in Brief

Canberra faith community invited to mark 1700 years of the Nicene Creed

Canberra faith community invited to mark 1700 years of the Nicene Creed

National Volunteer Week: Small acts big impact

National Volunteer Week: Small acts big impact

YOUTH

World Youth Day reflections

World Youth Day reflections

Equipping the future leaders of our Church

Equipping the future leaders of our Church

Youth Ministers ready to explore new frontiers

Youth Ministers ready to explore new frontiers

POPULAR STORIES

Local Stories
Golden Jubilee unites generations at St Jude’s

Golden Jubilee unites generations at St Jude’s

CGCatholic
Liverpool brings world-class football training to JPC

Liverpool brings world-class football training to JPC

CGCatholic
Council of Nicaea: A light on path of understanding the faith

Council of Nicaea: A light on path of understanding the faith

© 2020 Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn