A new poll reveals that Gen Z in the UK is the most spiritual generation, with just 13% identifying as atheists. This contrasts with older generations, where atheism is more prevalent. While younger people are embracing spirituality, it's often linked to concepts like wellness and mindfulness rather than traditional religious practices.
A recent poll has revealed a striking generational divide in spiritual beliefs within the UK. Teenagers and those in their early twenties are significantly less likely to identify as atheists compared to their parents. In fact, individuals aged 18-24, encompassing the entirety of Generation Z , are the most spiritual age group in the UK, with only 13% identifying as atheists. A substantial 62% describe themselves as 'very' or 'fairly' spiritual, according to research conducted by OnePoll.
When asked to pinpoint the primary factors contributing to the decline in Christianity rates in the UK, Gen Z cited the 'inability to grapple with scandals involving abuse' and generational change as key drivers. In contrast, middle-aged members of Generation X, aged 45-60, are the most likely to be atheists, with 25% stating they do not believe in a god or spirituality. For Baby Boomers over 65 and Millennials aged 25-44, one in five report atheism at 20%.The poll, encompassing a total of 10,000 individuals, was commissioned by Christopher Gasson to commemorate the publication of his latest book on religion. The survey diligently questioned 1,039 respondents under 25, 1,696 aged 25 to 34, 1,637 aged 35 to 44, 1,667 aged 45 to 54, 1,605 aged 55 to 64, and 2,356 aged over 65. Interestingly, despite a higher overall level of spirituality in younger individuals, it doesn't necessarily indicate a resurgence of traditional religions like Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism in the UK. Instead, many young people perceive spirituality as more closely aligned with wellness and mindfulness. They associate it with concepts like nature, astrology, and crystals, rather than actively participating in religious rituals.Freya Stewart-Williams, a 20-year-old from London, shared her perspective with The Times. Despite coming from a Christian family, she expressed a reluctance to believe in God but acknowledged a feeling that 'something is out there'. During her teenage years, she worked in a crystal shop in Covent Garden, selling gemstones believed to possess healing, calming, or luck-bringing qualities. 'The main demographic was people in their early twenties,' she noted. She attributed the popularity of spirituality to the openness of this generation when discussing mental health and accepting diverse states of mind.Of all respondents polled, 27% identified as atheists, 54% as Christian, 6% as Muslim, and 1% each from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jewish backgrounds. Among Christian respondents, only 14% claimed to 'worship regularly and accept the authority of the leaders of my faith'. The latest census data for England and Wales revealed a decline in the number of people identifying as Christian to 46.2%. While the number of Muslims identifying as such increased slightly, from 4.8% to 6.5%, the majority of the decline resulted from those identifying as having 'no religion' more than doubling - from 15% in 2001 to 37.5% in 2021
Spirituality Atheism Religion Generation Z Christianity UK Millennials Gen X Baby Boomers
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