Vatican statistics reveal significant shifts in global Catholic demographics as Africa experiences a remarkable surge in Catholic followers, while Europe continues to witness a decline. The annual report, released on World Mission Sunday, covers data from December 2020 to December 2021.

The report shows that the total number of Catholics worldwide reached 1,375,852,000 by the end of 2021, marking an increase of 16.2 million compared to the previous year.

Notably, the African continent saw the most substantial growth, gaining 40 million people, of which 8.3 million are Catholic. Pope Francis has displayed special pastoral attention to Africa, making visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in early 2023.

Despite this global growth, the percentage of Catholics in the world saw a slight decrease, standing at 17.67% in 2021, down from 17.7% the previous year. The data also revealed that the total number of priests worldwide decreased by 2,347 to approximately 408,000, with Europe experiencing the largest drop.

In terms of priests, Africa and Asia saw modest gains, while the Americas and Oceania reported losses. However, the decline in the number of priests in 2021 was less dramatic than in the previous year.

The report did not mention baptism rates, but it's worth noting that Africa also demonstrates a higher rate of Mass attendance in countries with significant Catholic populations. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Lebanon stand out with a high proportion of Catholics attending Mass weekly.

The number of permanent deacons worldwide increased slightly, with Europe and the Americas leading in gains. Male religious numbers decreased globally, with substantial losses in Europe and the Americas partially offset by gains in Africa. In contrast, the number of women religious saw significant declines, particularly in Europe and the Americas, while Africa gained more than 2,000.

Lay missionaries and catechists experienced declines in the Americas but gained modestly in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Major seminarians decreased worldwide, with Africa being the only continent to register a net gain. In terms of educational institutions, the Catholic Church operates numerous kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, and universities worldwide.

Africa stands out with the largest number of infant pupils, Catholic primary schools, and primary school pupils. The Americas have the most Catholic university students, while Asia leads in Catholic high school students. Furthermore, the Church runs thousands of hospitals, homes for the elderly, and orphanages worldwide, with Asia having the most significant share of orphanages.

In summary, the Vatican's latest statistics depict a shifting landscape in global Catholicism, with Africa experiencing a surge in followers, while Europe continues to see a decline in numbers.