Belief in God is rising sharply among young people in the United Kingdom, with levels nearly tripling over the past four years, according to new polling by YouGov.
The survey found that in January 2025, 45 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds said they believe in God, compared to just 16 percent in August 2021. Meanwhile, 34 percent said they do not believe in God or any higher power, and 11 percent said they do not believe in God but do believe in some kind of greater spiritual force.
The trend was not limited to the youngest adults. Among 25 to 49-year-olds, belief in God rose from 21 percent in 2021 to 33 percent in 2025.
YouGov’s research also shows that church attendance has been climbing. Between 2018 and 2024, the proportion of UK adults attending church at least once a month rose by 56 percent. The sharpest increase came from younger generations, with the number of 18 to 24-year-olds attending church quadrupling from 4 percent in 2018 to 16 percent in 2024.
Young men saw the largest growth, rising from just one in 25 to one in five regular attendees. Young women also saw a significant jump, from 3 percent to 12 percent.
Overall, 18 to 24-year-olds are now the second most likely age group to attend church regularly, though a gender gap remains, with 13 percent of young men attending compared to 10 percent of young women.
This significant increase results in the number of monthly churchgoers rising from 3.7 million to 5.8 million in just six years, according to GB News.
“Problems in the world are becoming greater, people are looking for somewhere to turn with their problems,” 13-year-old Christian Naomi Boden told the outlet. She also added that social media has helped people with their faith because users can follow influencers who share their religious experiences. "It's no longer a case of getting looked down upon because of your religion, so people may feel more comfortable.”
Father Damian Feeney, of Holy Trinity in Ettingshall, reiterated this belief among young people, saying that religion can be appealing for those who see a "need for structure, shape and routine in their life... and a desire for stability at a time when otherwise life can seem destabilised."
