Ireland Among Europe’s Moderate Religious Nations, Bishops’ Study Shows

Ireland falls within the “middle range” of religious countries in Europe, according to a new report published by the Catholic bishops, offering a detailed snapshot of evolving faith trends across the island.

Among western European nations, Ireland has one of the lowest proportions of adults identifying as having no religion, at 32 per cent — a figure equal to Austria. Only Portugal (28 per cent) and Italy (22 per cent) record lower rates. By contrast, several eastern European countries report significantly lower levels of religious disaffiliation, with fewer than 10 per cent of respondents in Cyprus and Greece stating they have no religion.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands records the highest proportion of people identifying with no religion, at more than 70 per cent, followed by Sweden and Latvia.

However, generational differences are pronounced in Ireland. Among those aged 16 to 29, 42 per cent report having no religion, indicating a notable shift in religious identity among younger cohorts.

Attendance and Affiliation

The report, titled Turning the Tide? Recent Religious Trends on the Island of Ireland, was compiled by Emily Nelson of Queen’s University Belfast and Professor Stephen Bullivant of St Mary’s University. Drawing on data from European Social Survey studies, research conducted by the Iona Institute, and other academic sources, it aims to provide an evidence-based assessment of religious practice and attitudes.

When measured by regular religious attendance — defined as participation at least once a week — Irish Catholic adults rank seventh among 28 European countries, with 23 per cent attending weekly or more. Among young adults, 14 per cent report weekly attendance, placing Ireland eighth in that category.

In the Republic, 18–24-year-olds are proportionally more likely to identify as religious or “not sure” than those aged 25–34, though they are less likely to describe themselves as spiritual or as belonging to neither category.

Gender and Perceptions

While women generally report higher levels of religiosity than men across Europe, the Republic of Ireland presents a notable exception, with men and women found to be similarly religious. However, perceptions of institutional respect vary sharply. The report finds that 74 per cent of Irish Catholic women believe the Church does not treat them with “a lot of respect”, compared with just 6 per cent of Protestant women in the Republic.

Northern Ireland Stands Apart

Northern Ireland emerges as “by a very long distance, the most religiously affiliating region” across these islands. Only 24 per cent of respondents there say they have no religion. Catholics in Northern Ireland also demonstrate particularly strong patterns of Mass attendance, with 41 per cent reporting weekly-or-more participation.

Attitudinal differences between age groups are also evident. In the Republic, 18–24-year-olds tend to hold less positive views of Christianity and the Catholic Church than older cohorts, though they are more favourable than 25–34-year-olds in certain respects and are less likely to express negative attitudes toward priests and nuns.

Those aged 25–34 are more inclined to agree that Catholic teachings continue to benefit Irish society despite the legacy of child sexual abuse scandals. By contrast, younger adults are significantly more likely to disagree and are also more open to the prospect of the Catholic Church disappearing from Ireland altogether.

In Northern Ireland, younger respondents display more positive attitudes toward Christianity, priests and nuns than their older peers, though this positivity does not extend as strongly to Catholicism or specific Catholic teachings.

The findings collectively highlight a complex and evolving religious landscape, marked by generational shifts, regional contrasts, and changing perceptions of institutional faith.