Direct answer · reviewed September 2026

Where is Christianity growing fastest?

Christianity is growing fastest in Sub-Saharan Africa, now home to about 718 million Christians — more than any other region. The church's centre of gravity has moved south: 69% of the world's Christians live in the Global South today, up from 17.6% in 1900, and projected to reach 78% by 2050.

Fastest-growing regionSub-Saharan Africa
Global South, 190017.6%
Global South, today69%
Projected, 205078%
01

Region by region

Christianity by region
RegionChristiansShareTrend
Sub-Saharan Africa718 million59.8%fastest growing
Latin America603 million90.7%strong
Europe553 million73.9%declining
North America278 million74.1%declining
Asia-Pacific387 million8.2%growing
Middle East / North Africa24 million4%under pressure
02

The shift in one line

Share of the world's Christians living in the Global South
YearGlobal South share
190017.6%
195028%
197043%
200058.9%
202066.6%
202569%
2050 (proj.)78%
03

Growth in the hardest places

Some of the most striking growth is in places hostile to it: Iran's underground church, Nepal's rise from a handful of believers in 1950, Algeria's Kabyle region, Mongolia since 1990, and Cuba's house churches. Each has a full profile.

IranNepalAlgeriaMongoliaCuba
FAQ

Related questions

Is Christianity growing in Africa?

Yes — Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing region, from roughly 9 million Christians in 1900 to about 718 million today.

More questions.

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