By Kudzai Jakachira
Africa has overtaken Europe as the continent with the largest share of the world’s Catholic population, according to the latest statistics released by the Vatican.
Figures compiled by the Catholic Church’s news agency, Fides, show that Africa accounted for 20.3% of the world’s 1.422 billion Catholics at the end of June 2024, marginally ahead of Europe’s 20.2%.
The Americas remained home to the largest proportion of Catholics globally, accounting for 47.7% of the total, while Asia represented 11% and Oceania 0.8%.
The figures highlight Africa’s growing importance to the Catholic Church at a time when the continent is increasingly contributing to the global Christian population.
The Vatican statistics show that the number of Catholics worldwide increased from 1.405 billion at the end of June 2023 to 1.422 billion a year later, representing an increase of approximately 17 million people.
Catholics accounted for 17.8% of the global population in June 2024, up 0.1 percentage points from the previous year, according to the report.
The latest figures also reflect a gradual shift in the geographical distribution of Catholics. In the statistics covering the period to June 2023, Africa accounted for approximately 20% of Catholics worldwide, compared with 20.4% in Europe.
The latest figures show Africa’s share rising to 20.3%, while Europe’s declined to 20.2%, placing the two continents in a closely contested position.
Beyond membership figures, Fides reported that the Catholic Church had 5,525 bishops and 407,421 priests worldwide.
The number of priests increased by 425, marking the first rise in five years, according to the statistics.
The increase represents a notable development for a Church that has faced persistent concerns about declining priest numbers in several regions, particularly in parts of Europe.
Africa’s growing share of the global Catholic population underscores the continent’s expanding significance to the Church’s future, including its pastoral activities and leadership.
The figures also point to contrasting demographic trends across regions, with Africa gaining a larger share of Catholics while Europe’s proportion continues to edge downwards.
The statistics cover the period ending in June 2024 and were released by the Vatican through Fides.
