After decades of decline, Western European churches are beginning to see small but notable signs of growth, especially among younger generations. At St. John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch, deacon Wilchard Kooijmans said the parish welcomed 18 new young members last year, an unusual jump for a local community. He credits much of the change to youth groups like the internal group ‘Jongeren van de Zoete Moeder’, where young people gather for prayer and discussion.
This local story reflects a wider European pattern: in England, church attendance has seen what researchers call a ‘dramatic growth,’ owed largely to younger generations. In 2018, only 4% of 18- to 24-year-olds reported attending church monthly, compared with 16% in 2024 according to a report of The Quiet Revival. Furthermore, a 2023 Ipsos survey found similar levels of interest in churchgoing among Gen Z in France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
The Covid-effect
Religious expert Mariecke van der Berg suggested that the pandemic may have influenced Gen Z’s interest in faith: “During the pandemic, young people spent so much time at home. With school routines and other activities disrupted, they were left with quiet moments that often sparked deeper questions about life and existence.”
For many, this period of reflection also included experimenting with different belief systems. Deacon Wilchard Kooijmans of St. John’s Cathedral noted that some new members explored multiple religions before settling in the Catholic Church. “Just last month, a girl told me she had spent a year exploring Islam, looked into Buddhism, and eventually found her way here,” he said.
Social media
According to van der Berg, social media also plays a key-role in the growth of Gen- Z’ers going to church. Young people can now encounter Christianity through short videos, apps, and online communities, which often act as gateways to more traditional forms of faith. For some, platforms like TikTok have been the first step in exploring church, making religious content more accessible than ever.
For Noa Meulemans, a new member in the Protestant church, this was an example, “I saw a Tiktok about christianity on my For You Page, and it motivated me to look further into the religion. Then I downloaded an app in which you can read the Bible and from there I rolled into it.”
Many churches like the St. John’s Cathedral in ‘s-Hertogenbosch have also adapted to the social media era: from livestreaming Sunday services to producing fast-paced educational videos in an easy, low-maintenance format for new young members.
Attraction to the traditional church
Van der Berg also said that some young people are choosing more traditional ways of practicing their faith. Structured rituals, like the Latin Mass, offer a clear and familiar form of worship. She added that this is partly linked to the rise of conservatism in Europe, which may make traditional church practices more appealing to some young people.
Conclusion
More young people are joining European churches, showing a small but noticeable change. Multiple factors can explain this growth, like existential questions during Covid, social media and the rise of conservatism in Europe.
