Teenagers and Young Adults More Likely to be Spiritual than Atheist, Survey Finds
A recent poll of 10,000 people in the UK has revealed that teenagers and young adults are more likely to identify as spiritual than atheist. The survey, commissioned by author Christopher Gasson, found that 62% of 18-24-year-olds (Gen Z) described themselves as “very” or “fairly” spiritual, with only 13% identifying as atheist.
In contrast, middle-aged Gen Xers (45-60) are the most likely to be atheist, with 25% saying they do not believe in a god or spirituality. Baby Boomers (over 65) and Millennials (25-44) follow close behind, with 20% identifying as atheist.
The survey also found that while many young people identify as spiritual, this does not necessarily mean they will return to traditional religions such as Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism. Instead, their spirituality is more often associated with wellness, mindfulness, nature, astrology, and crystals. Freya Stewart-Williams, a 20-year-old from London, described her own spirituality as being about “feeling something is out there” and finding solace in gemstones with purported healing properties.
The survey also revealed that 54% of respondents identified as Christian, 6% as Muslim, and 1% each from other major religions. However, only 14% of Christian respondents said they “worship regularly and accept the authority of the leaders of my faith”.
The latest census data for England and Wales shows a decline in the number of people identifying as Christian to 46.2%, with the majority of the drop resulting from a surge in those identifying as having “no religion” from 15% to 37.5%.