INEGI report indicated that the Catholic religion is declining in Mexico

Beyond being a moment of rest, Holy Week is, for millions of people in Mexico, the most important period of the liturgical calendar.

However, this tradition is experienced today in a profoundly different social context than in past decades. Catholicism, the historically predominant religion in the country, is facing a noticeable and constant decline.

Fewer Catholics, more believers "in their own way."

According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census by INEGI, 97.8 million Mexicans declared themselves Catholic. Although the figure remains significant, it represents only 77.7% of the population, a considerable drop from the 88% recorded in the year 2000.

An analysis conducted by UNAM  and published in the journal  Acta Sociológica  explained the reasons for this decline. Among them are the loss of trust in religious institutions and a growing desire to experience spirituality freely, without intermediaries or imposed dogmas.

Many faithful continue to believe, but they do so "in their own way", away from temples and without formal affiliation.

The non-religious population grows

Meanwhile, the population that declares itself as "non-religious" has grown rapidly. In the year 2000, only 4.7% of Mexicans identified in this category. By 2020, that figure increased to 8.1%, which equates to more than 10 million people.

This group is composed mainly of men (56.1%)  and young people between 25 and 34 years old. The phenomenon has also been analyzed by INEGI  and by organizations like CONAPRED, which recognize the growing religious diversity of the country  as part of a generational and cultural change.

A country of many faiths

The same study reveals that there are 32 different active religions in Mexico, from popular cults to religious expressions of oriental, ethnic, or African origin. Some highlighted figures:

Judaism: 58,876 believers

Islam: 7,982

Religions of oriental origin: 29,985

Cults with Afro roots: 40,799

Spiritualism: 36,764

Declared atheism: 645,000 people

In total,  just over 650 thousand Mexicans practice religions other than Catholicism, evidencing an increasingly plural religious openness.

For some, the "fall of Catholicism" is not read solely as a loss of faithful, but also as an opportunity for renewal. Religion has been, for centuries, a moral and spiritual guide for millions of Mexican families. 

Experts affirm that, if it wants to remain alive in the hearts of young people, the Church must listen, adapt, and respond to this new time. Renew its ways, regain trust, and approach believers with humility without imposing, but proposing a message clear of love, compassion, and community.

Mexico remains a deeply spiritual country. For many, what is at stake is not just a religion, but the way as a society we understand transcendence, the common good, and hope.