Vatican City: The number of Catholics worldwide increased by 16.69 million to reach 1.422 billion, while the global number of priests also recorded a slight rise, according to the Catholic Church Statistics 2026 report prepared by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency. However, the number of women religious and major seminarians continued to decline.
The report was released ahead of the 100th World Mission Sunday, which will be celebrated on October 18 under the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.” It presents figures on the Catholic population, Church personnel, missionary activities, education and healthcare services around the world.
Catholics accounted for 17.8 percent of the global population, which stood at almost eight billion. Their numbers increased across all continents, with Africa recording the largest growth of 7.58 million, followed by the Americas with 6.99 million. Asia added 968,000 Catholics, Europe recorded an increase of 911,000, and Oceania gained 239,000.
The Americas remained the region with the largest Catholic population, at 678.87 million. Africa followed with 288.31 million, slightly exceeding Europe's 287.24 million. Asia had 156.17 million Catholics, while Oceania recorded 11.56 million.
The statistics show that the worldwide number of priests increased for the first time in five years. Their total reached 407,421, representing an increase of 425 compared with the previous year.
Africa recorded an increase of 1,676 priests, while Asia added 1,065 and the Americas gained 199. These increases were partly offset by a decline of 2,483 priests in Europe and 32 in Oceania.
The number of diocesan priests rose by 496 to 279,238, while religious priests decreased by 71 to 128,183. Despite the overall increase in priests, the average number of Catholics served by each priest rose by 38 to 3,491.
The report also recorded 5,525 bishops worldwide, an increase of 95, and 52,102 permanent deacons, up by 669.
In contrast, the number of women religious fell by 9,292 to 580,131. Africa was the only continent to record an increase, gaining 2,190 women religious. Europe experienced the largest decline, with 6,473 fewer women religious.
The number of major seminarians, who are preparing for priestly ministry, also decreased. Their total fell by 2,891 to 103,604. Africa was the only continent to record growth, with an additional 786 major seminarians, while Asia experienced the sharpest decline, with 2,733 fewer. The number of minor seminarians dropped by 980 to 94,041.
The report also highlighted growth in lay missionary work and catechetical activities. The number of lay missionaries increased by 18,473 to 463,079, while catechists rose by 22,370 to reach 2,889,336. The Americas recorded the largest increase in lay missionaries, while the number of catechists grew most in the Americas and Asia.
Beyond its missionary activities, the Catholic Church continues to operate educational institutions and healthcare facilities worldwide. According to the report, its network includes 75,448 kindergartens, 103,666 primary schools and 51,810 secondary schools.
The Church's healthcare and charitable services comprise 101,110 facilities, including 5,397 hospitals and 13,646 dispensaries. Africa has the largest number of hospitals and dispensaries among the continents covered by the report.
The statistics are based on the latest Church statistical yearbook. Figures for the global population and Catholic population refer to June 30, 2024, while data on Church personnel and institutions refer to December 31, 2024. Changes are measured against the figures recorded in 2023.
The report presents a mixed picture of the Catholic Church worldwide, with the Catholic population growing across every continent and the number of priests increasing slightly, while the continued decline in women religious and seminarians highlights contrasting trends in Church personnel.