A Shift Away from Religion: Tracking the Rise of the 'Nones'

The proportion of Americans identifying as 'nuns'—individuals with no religious affiliation—has surged dramatically over the past several decades, increasing from 6% in 1991 to approximately 28% today. This trend is notably pronounced among Generation Z, where 40 to 45% report no religious affiliation. Concurrently, about 40% of Americans claim to never attend religious services. In contrast, the religious landscape in parts of Western Europe varies widely, with Poland reporting high weekly church attendance rates, while Denmark shows some of the lowest. In comparison, the shift away from organized religion occurred much earlier in Europe, particularly from the mid-1940s to the early 1970s. As a result, the United States may be on a path to experience significant changes in religious affiliation, raising questions about its future trajectory compared to Western European nations.