Europe remains the continent with the largest number of women religious, representing nearly 32% of the global total in 2023.
Asia follows closely with 30%, while the Americas account for 23% of the world’s women religious despite the overall global decline in the number of professed religious men and women according to the 2025 Annuario Pontificio and 2023 Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae reports released by the Vatican.
The reports note that the global number of professed men and women religious has continued its downward trend, experiencing a 1.6% decline between 2022 and 2023. The total number of religious dropped from 599,228 in 2022 to 589,423 in 2023.
While the decline has been observed worldwide, Africa stands as an exception, seeing a slight 2.2% increase in the number of women religious. This growth suggests the continued vibrancy and expansion of religious vocations in Africa, contrasting with the reductions in other parts of the world.
Europe, as mentioned, houses the largest proportion of women religious globally. Despite facing a decrease in vocations over the years, the continent still has the largest concentration of religious women. Asia has experienced steady growth, with 30% of the world’s women religious residing there. The Americas, although significant, have seen a decrease, with only 23% of the global women religious population.
In Africa, where religious life is growing, women religious account for 14% of the global total. This figure speaks to the thriving religious presence on the continent, where many women continue to dedicate their lives to the Church’s service, despite challenges such as societal changes and economic struggles.
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