Number of religious people in Netherlands increases for the first time

A larger group of people indicated last year that they belonged to a religious movement than in 2023. Since Statistics Netherlands (CBS) started this measurement in 2010, the share of religious people in the Netherlands has decreased every year. That decline stopped in 2024.

Last year, 44 percent of respondents indicated that they belonged to a church, mosque, or synagogue, compared to 42 percent a year earlier. In 2010, 55 percent of the population still considered themselves religious.

The majority of religious people in the Netherlands are Roman Catholic, followed by Protestant, and Muslim. About 7 percent have a different religious belief.

Young people aged 18 to 25 are the least likely to belong to a church or religious group. Over two-thirds of this group say they are non-religious. The older people get, the larger the group of religious among them. Among the over-75s, over 60 percent are religious.

Of all religious people, 13 percent attended a religious service at least once a month. Over half of Muslims go to the mosque at least once a month. Slightly less than half of Protestants go to church monthly. Almost three-quarters of Catholics rarely or never go to a service.