Global Catholic Population Continues to Grow, Fides Report Reveals

Vatican City, October 2025 — Marking the 99th World Mission Day, themed “Missionaries of Hope among all Peoples,” the Vatican news agency Fides released new statistics showing continued growth in the global Catholic population, alongside notable regional contrasts in clergy and vocations.

As of mid-2023, the world’s population stood at 7.91 billion, with Catholics rising by 15.9 million to 1.41 billion, accounting for 17.8% of humanity. The largest growth was recorded in Africa (+8.3 million) and the Americas (+5.7 million), followed by smaller increases in Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

The number of bishops worldwide increased slightly to 5,430, while the total number of priests declined by 734, bringing the global figure to 406,996. Europe continued to experience the steepest decline (–2,486), whereas Africa (+1,451) and Asia (+1,145) saw steady gains. The number of permanent deacons rose to 51,433, mainly in the Americas and Oceania.

However, religious vocations continued to decrease. Men in religious orders fell to 48,748 (–736), and women religious to 589,423 (–9,805), with growth registered only in Africa and Asia. The number of major seminarians dropped to 106,495, while minor seminarians declined to 95,021, reflecting a broader global slowdown in priestly formation.

Beyond its spiritual mission, the Church remains one of the world’s leading providers of education and social services. It currently operates more than 74,000 kindergartens, 155,000 schools, and 104,000 health and social institutions, including 5,377 hospitals and 15,566 care homes.

Global Catholic Population Continues to Grow, Fides Report Reveals

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