Shifting Demographics

"The dramatic growth of the non-religious [has resulted in the U.K. becoming] almost certainly one of the least religious countries on Earth."

"One of the most striking things about these results is how at odds the population is from the state itself."

"No state in Europe has such a religious setup as we do in terms of law and public policy, while at the same time having such a non-religious population."

Andrew Copson, chief executive, Humanists U.K.

"[The data is] not a great surprise [but does represent a challenge to Christians to work more diligently promoting their faith]."

"We have left behind the era when many people almost automatically identified as Christians, but other surveys consistently show how the same people still seek spiritual truth and wisdom and a set of values to live by."

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Church of England

People walk along regent Street during the Black Friday sales in London, Britain, November 25, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

According to the most recent census out of the United Kingdom, fewer than fifty percent of England's and Wales/s population feel themselves to be identified as Christian. This marks the first time ever that a mere minority of the population of the U.K. registers as faithful to the official, traditional religion of the nation. 

In the decade since the last census, Britain, according to figures from the 2021 census released on Tuesday, has become less religious and evidently less 'white' as well, data released by the Office for National Statistics indicate. On the day of the 2021 census about 45.2 percent of the population of England and Wales considered themselves Christian. Marking a reduction from 59.3 percent ten years earlier. 

The population demographic identified as Muslim rose to 6.5 percent from 4.9 percent of the total. While 1.7 percent identified as Hindu, an increase from 1.5 percent. Over one in three people -- some 37 percent -- claimed no religious faith, marking an increase from 25 percent in 2011. Census data is taken separately for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Campaigners for secularism suggest that the newly identified shift away from religious devotion is due a reconsideration of the manner in which religion is entrenched in British society. In particular the U.K-. funded Church of England schools. And the fact that Anglican elites sit in in the Upper Chamber of Parliament, along with the long-established position of the British Monarch titled "defender of the faith" and supreme governor of the church.

In addition, back in 2011, 85 percent of the population of England and Wales identified as white s opposed to the current number so doing, at 82 percent.

People walk over Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, July 29, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls