Age at which people switched religious identification
Percent of U.S. adults who switched religious identification, by age when they switched, 2026 (in percent)
Key finding
Highest: 18-29 (39%). Lowest: 50 and older (3%).
- 18-29: 39%
- 13-17: 29%
- 12 or younger: 17%
Source: Lifeway Research, What Causes Some to Stay With Their Faith While Others Leave? · Article published 2026-01-29.
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Questions about this statistic
What does this statistic show?
Highest: 18-29 (39%). Lowest: 50 and older (3%). 18-29: 39%. 13-17: 29%. 12 or younger: 17%.
Who published this data?
Lifeway Research, 2026. Source: Lifeway Research, What Causes Some to Stay With Their Faith While Others Leave? (https://research.lifeway.com/2026/01/29/what-causes-some-to-stay-with-their-faith-while-others-leave/).
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- Confidence in U.S. institutions compared with the church Lifeway Research, 2026
About this data
Leader Insights collects statistics about U.S. churches from published research by organizations such as Lifeway Research, Barna Group, Springtide, the American Bible Society and PRRI. Every number is checked against the wording of the original source before it is published, and each statistic links back to the study it came from. Figures are reproduced from the publishers named above; see the source for full methodology.