[2025 Religious Awareness Survey] Status of religious population and religious activities

The Korea Research regular survey, 'Public Opinion in Public Opinion', first began in January 2018. It was conducted once a month until February 1, and then once every two weeks thereafter. In each survey, it asks whether respondents have a religion and, if so, what it is.

We synthesized the results of 22 surveys conducted from January to November 2025 to estimate the religious population in 2025. Twenty percent of the population identifies as Protestant, 16% as Buddhist, 11% as Catholic, and 1% as a member of other religions. Furthermore, 51% of the population has no religious affiliation. This result is consistent with the overall religious population estimated by the 24th "Public Opinion in Public Opinion" survey conducted in 2024.(Estimated from 22 surveys conducted from January to November 2024The Buddhist population ratio in 2024 is 17%, but after adding the second survey in December, the overall Buddhist population ratio in 2024 is finally estimated to be 16%.

Based on the results of the "Public Opinion in Public Opinion" survey, first launched in 2018, annual religious population trends show no significant changes in the Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic religious populations. Since 2019, the proportion of Protestants has remained constant at 20%, Buddhists at 16-17%, and Catholics at 11%. The proportion of people without a religious affiliation has also remained around 50%. This lack of significant change in the religious population suggests that efforts by religious communities to attract new believers are only sufficient to offset the loss of believers.

Among both men and women, Protestantism is the most popular religion, followed by Buddhism and Catholicism. Overall, the proportion of women identifying as religious (53%) is 8 percentage points higher than that of men (45%), remaining the same as the previous year.

This pattern varies by generation. Among those aged 18-29 and in their 30s, men actually outnumber women in religious affiliation (30% of men in 18-29 vs. 26% of women, and 39% of men in their 30s vs. 32% of women). Beginning in their 40s, the gap reverses, with women outnumbering others, and the gap widens to 18 percentage points (79% of women, 61% of men) among those aged 70 and older. More detailed research and analysis is needed to understand why men are more religious, or conversely, why women are less religious, in younger generations.

All three religions show a common pattern of increasing percentage of believers with increasing age. The percentage of Protestant believers increases from 13% (18-29 years old) to 15% (30s) to 18% (40s) to 20% (50s) to 24% (60s) to 29% (70s and older). The percentage of Buddhist believers increases from 8% (18-29 years old) to 12% (30s) to 14% (40s) to 19% (50s) to 22% (60s) to 21% (70s and older). The percentage of Catholic believers increases from 5% (18-29 years old) to 8% (30s) to 10% (40s) to 10% (50s) to 15% (60s) to 19% (70s and older).

Protestantism is strongest in Gwangju and Jeolla Province (25%) and weakest in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province (13%). Conversely, Buddhism is strong in the Yeongnam region, including Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province (29%) and Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (23%). In the Seoul metropolitan area, Protestantism outnumbers Buddhism by about 10 percentage points (in Seoul, Protestantism 22%, Buddhism 13%). Catholicism has the highest percentage of believers in Gangwon Province and Jeju Island (16%) and the lowest in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province (7%).

The overall male-to-female ratio for those aged 18 and older is nearly equal, at 49:51. However, among those with religious affiliations, the proportion of women is higher. Protestants and Catholics each have a male-to-female ratio of 44:56, respectively. Buddhism also has a high female-to-female ratio, at 48:52. Conversely, among those without a religious affiliation, the ratio is 53:47, with more men than women.

The aging of Korea's religious population is progressing even faster than the population itself. Only 33% of all adult men and women are over 60. However, 50% of Catholics, 44% of Protestants, and 43% of Buddhists are over 60. This means that four to five out of ten religious believers are over 60, a figure more than 10 percentage points higher than the overall population.

In contrast, the percentage of young believers under 30 is only 21% for Protestants, 18% for Catholics, and 18% for Buddhists. This represents a mere two-thirds of the 30% share of the overall adult population for those under 30. Considering that the percentage of those aged 18-29 and those in their 30s who claim no religion stands at 72% and 64%, respectively, a slight increase from the previous year, the aging of the religious population is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

By region, 55% of Protestants and 58% of Catholics nationwide reside in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province. This figure is higher than the 51% share of the entire adult population in Korea. Conversely, only 39% of Buddhists reside in the Seoul metropolitan area, while 40% reside in Daegu/North Gyeongsang Province and Busan/Ulsan/South Gyeongsang Province. Of the three religions, Buddhism is the only religion with a significant concentration outside the metropolitan area.

94% of respondents have not changed their religious affiliation in the past year. 48% still adhere to the same religion as a year ago, and 46% still adhere to no religion.

Six percent of the population has changed their religious affiliation. Four percent of the population had a religion a year ago but no longer does. Conversely, one percent of the population had no religion a year ago but now does. Less than one percent of the population said their current religion differs from their previous one.

By religion, 92% of those who were Protestants a year ago still believe in Protestantism. 7% are currently unaffiliated, and 1% have converted to another religion. Among those who were Catholic a year ago, 93% are still Catholic. 5% have lost their faith and become non-religious, and 1% have converted to another religion. Among those who were Buddhist a year ago, 91% are still Buddhist, and 8% have converted to non-religious. Less than 1% have converted to a religion other than Buddhism.

Among those who had no religion a year ago, 97% still have no religion. Only 3% said they now have a religion.

Among those who currently have a religion, 37% participate in religious activities such as worship, mass, or Buddhist services weekly. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of weekly religious participants was 27%. This represents a 10 percentage point increase over the past four years, reaching the highest level since the survey began in 2020. Eleven percent participate two to three times a month, and 12% participate about once a month. Conversely, 18% do not participate at all, and 21% participate less than once a month. While this percentage is gradually decreasing, approximately four in ten religious people still engage in religious activities sparingly.

Women (41%) responded that they participate in religious activities weekly, a 10 percentage point increase over men (31%). However, the percentage of those who "do not participate" was the same for both men and women at 18%. Women who do participate appear to do so more frequently, while men tend to participate intermittently.

Age gaps are also evident. The percentage of believers who participate in religious activities weekly increases with age: 27% for those aged 18-39, 31% for those aged 40-59, and 46% for those aged 60 and older. Notably, half (50%) of women aged 60 and older reported participating in religious activities weekly. Conversely, only 25% of men aged 18-39 participate in religious activities weekly, about half the rate among women aged 60 and older.

Not only is the religious population concentrated among the elderly, but the smaller number of young believers also shows relatively low levels of religious participation. This result raises concerns about a decline in the vitality of the religious community.

Among Protestants, 63% participate in religious activities weekly. This is an 8 percentage point increase from the previous year (55%), and the proportion of weekly participants is significantly higher than that of other religions, such as Catholicism and Buddhism. Nine percent of Protestants do not participate at all, while 8% participate less than once a month, similar to last year's figures.

Among Catholics, 34% reported participating in religious activities weekly, a 7 percentage point increase from last year (27%). The percentage of Catholics who do not participate at all also decreased by 8 percentage points, from 31% last year to 23% this year. Overall, the rate of participation in religious activities among Catholics has increased compared to last year.

Among Buddhist shrines, only 3% participate in religious activities weekly, a tiny minority, the same as last year. The largest group, 43%, participate less than once a month, while 24% say they do not participate at all. This means that roughly two out of three people rarely participate in religious activities.

In summary, Protestant participation in religious activities is significantly higher than that of Catholics or Buddhists. Catholics' participation in religious activities has increased compared to last year, while Buddhists remain passive. Unlike Protestants and Catholics, who prioritize worship, Buddhism places a greater emphasis on individual practice, which can lead to a different perception of the concept of "religious activity."

Among those with a religious belief, 58% rated religious activities as important in their lives (22% rated them very important, 36% rated them somewhat important). This is the same result as last year (58%). The number of people who rated religious activities as not important in their lives also remained similar to last year (39%).

There are significant disparities across religions. Seventy-seven percent of Protestants said religious activities were important, with 41% rating them as "very important." Catholics followed suit, with 55% saying they were important. In contrast, only 35% of Buddhists said religious activities were important, less than half the percentage of Protestants. This can be seen as a characteristic of Buddhism, but it can also be seen as a sign of weakening solidarity and community among Buddhists.

The perception that religious activities are important in their lives was higher among women (61%) than men (55%), and higher among those aged 60 and older (69%) than those in their 40s and 50s (53%) or those in their 30s and younger (42%). Among those who participate in religious activities weekly, 96% perceived religious activities as important in their lives, with 57% rating them as "very important." Conversely, 62% of those who participate in religious activities 1-3 times a month, while only 22% of those who participate less than once a month or do not participate at all, perceived religious activities as important in their lives. While it is natural that the more frequently one participates in religious activities, this suggests that religious activities are becoming less meaningful for believers who participate less frequently.

The religious population ratio continues to stagnate, with only a small minority changing their religious affiliation. While seemingly stable, there are signs of crisis. The religious population is aging faster than the overall population. Approximately 40-50% of believers in each religion are over 60 years old, while 6-7 out of 10 younger people are non-religious. Not only are there a small number of young believers, but their participation in religious activities and perception of their importance are also low, weakening the "strength" of their faith. If the natural decline in the number of older believers continues, the religious population itself could rapidly decline. The religious community needs to consider and make efforts to increase the number of believers, especially how to connect with the younger generation.