Young Christians engaging with Bible more, survey finds

A latest report reveals surprising levels of Bible engagement amongst young people aged 15–30, despite the apparent increase in secularisation.

The Patmos Youth Report, drawn from the larger Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey conducted by Gallup in partnership with the Patmos Initiative and United Bible Societies, offers probably the most comprehensive looks yet at global attitudes toward Scripture.

Surveying 91,000 people across 85 countries and territories, the study includes data from about 28,700 young respondents.

The report suggests that young Christians (particularly those aged 18–24) are engaging with the Bible more steadily than older generations. Globally, half of Christians on this age group report using the Bible on a weekly basis.

They also exhibit higher confidence in discussing faith, telling Bible stories, and applying scripture to every day situations.

“Young Christians are more comfortable talking about faith,” the findings note, difficult narratives of widespread youth disengagement.

The report divides the world into seven “Patmos Clusters” based on shared cultural, economic, and spiritual contexts. Vibrant engagement stands out in majority-Christian clusters resembling Latin America (Cluster 4) and sub-Saharan Africa (Cluster 7), which each exhibit high religiosity, regular Bible use, and powerful interest in deeper study.

By contrast, secular Western contexts (Cluster 5: Europe, North America, Australasia) show declining Christian identity overall, though committed young believers remain actively engaged. There can also be “low interest” in these regions relating to learning more concerning the Bible.

Most young Christians are present in Clusters 4 and seven.

“At a worldwide level, young Christians report the best levels of spiritual importance, with 81% indicating that religion is vital of their every day lives,” the report states.

The report also shows that interest within the Bible generally extends well beyond practising Christians. The survey estimates that 240 million non-Christians worldwide wish to learn more about it, with young non-Christians in secular settings often showing greater curiosity than older generations.

Around 70% of respondents globally – including many non-Christians – agree that Bible stories are useful for kids.

Many young people, including “active-uncertain” segments, view the Bible as a source of wisdom and guidance for all times’s big questions, despite their doubts. They are inclined to turn to digital tools like apps, videos and podcasts, in addition to their friends slightly than traditional church settings.

In secular Western clusters, indifference is common, with many viewing the Bible as having limited personal or social relevance.

In religiously diverse Asia (Cluster 6), awareness of the Bible is low: 56% of individuals have never heard of the Bible, and 75% say they know nothing about it.

Nominal Christianity persists in declining contexts – individuals who discover as Christian but show low engagement. Economic, political, and cultural hurdles further limit access in other regions.

Richard Powney, who co-authored the report, said, “This report shows that, in some contexts, young Christians are engaging with the Bible more steadily than older Christians.

“We were pleased to seek out that the report each confirms and challenges our expectations of young Christians today.”

The report further found that young Christians who actively engage with Scripture usually tend to volunteer, give to charity, and help others in on a regular basis situations.

“While these patterns vary by context and economic conditions, they suggest that engagement with the Bible is linked not only to non-public faith but in addition to practices of service, generosity and care,” the report reads.

“Either way, we will confidently say that lively Bible users are good for society, whether young or old.”