Africa overtakes Europe in Catholic population — Vatican

Pope Leo XIV delivers a speech during his visit to the Central African Catholic University as part of his Africa tour, on April 17, 2026, in Yaounde, Cameroon. Ahmet Emin Donmez / Anadolu (Photo by Ahmet Emin Donmez / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

Africa recorded the highest increase in the number of Catholics worldwide, adding 7.58 million members as the global Catholic population rose by 16.69 million to 1.422 billion, according to the Vatican.

The figures were contained in the 2026 Catholic Church Statistics dossier prepared by the Vatican’s Fides news agency on Friday ahead of the 100th World Mission Sunday, scheduled for October 18.

According to the report, Africa had 288.31 million Catholics as of June 30, 2024, slightly ahead of Europe, which had 287.24 million.

The Americas remained home to the largest Catholic population, with 678.87 million, while Asia had 156.17 million and Oceania 11.56 million.

The report stated that Catholics accounted for 17.8 per cent of the world’s population, estimated at almost eight billion.

Beyond Africa, the Americas recorded an increase of 6.99 million Catholics, while Asia added 968,000, Europe 911,000 and Oceania 239,000.

The dossier also recorded a slight increase in the worldwide number of priests, which rose by 425 to 407,421 in 2024.

“For the first time in five years, there is an increase in the total number of priests in the world,” the report stated.

The increase was driven by Africa, which recorded 1,676 additional priests, and Asia, which added 1,065. The Americas gained 199 priests, while Europe recorded a decline of 2,483 and Oceania lost 32.

The number of diocesan priests rose by 496 to 279,238, while religious priests declined by 71 to 128,183.

Despite the increase in priests, the average number of Catholics per priest rose by 38 to 3,491.

• Many would have their dream life, if they stayed chaste till marriage!
• AI age: Africa must build and earn its place
• FULL LIST: Barcola joins 12 other Liverpool’s European Cup hat-trick scorers

The Vatican report also showed a decline in the number of women religious and major seminarians worldwide.

Women religious fell by 9,292 to 580,131, with Africa the only continent to record an increase, adding 2,190. Europe recorded the largest decline, with 6,473 fewer women religious.

Major seminarians declined by 2,891 to 103,604. Africa was the only continent to record an increase, adding 786, while Asia experienced the largest drop, with 2,733 fewer major seminarians.

The number of minor seminarians also fell by 980 to 94,041.

Meanwhile, the number of lay missionaries rose by 18,473 to 463,079, while catechists increased by 22,370 to 2,889,336.

The dossier further highlighted the Catholic Church’s global educational, healthcare and charitable activities.

According to the report, the Church operated 75,448 kindergartens, 103,666 primary schools and 51,810 secondary schools worldwide.

Its healthcare and charitable network comprised 101,110 facilities, including 5,397 hospitals and 13,646 dispensaries. Africa had the highest number of hospitals and dispensaries among the continents.

The statistics were drawn from the latest Church statistical yearbook. Population and Catholic population figures were as of June 30, 2024, while figures for other categories were as of December 31, 2024. The changes were measured against 2023.

The 100th World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on October 18 under the theme, “One in Christ, united in mission.”