Catholic Church on the decline
Between 2000 and 2010, the number of Brazilians describing themselves as Catholics has dropped by 12.2%.
This record fall brings the proportion of Catholics down to 65% – the
lowest share since religious affiliations was first surveyed in 1872. In
2000, 74% of the population had classified themselves as Catholics.
Over the same period, the number of
Evangelical Christians increased by 44%, following a 77% increase from
1990 to 2000. Evangelicals now represent 22% of the population.
According to the data, which was gathered in the 2010 Census and
published this Friday, 8% of Brazilians now declare themselves to be
without a religion.
At 30 years, Catholics are on average
older than Evangelicals at 27, but have almost the same average age as
more traditional Protestant denominations, like Lutheranism. Children
under 10 years are listed under their mothers’ religion.
The survey data also shows some
interesting correlations between religion, race, and socio-economic
status. Evangelicals are on average poorer than Catholics, suggesting
that low-income Brazilians are more likely to give up the Catholic
faith. Curiously, 19.7% of higher income Brazilians (those earning in
excess of five minimum wages per month) regard themselves as
spiritualists.
Traditional Protestant Churches show the
highest proportion of white believers, probably a consequence of
European immigration. Rather unsurprisingly, the Candomblé sect, a cult
of African origin, counts the highest share of black followers.
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