Religiosity, revival and secularisation: cross-country comparisons Dr. Marion Burkimsher University of Geneva, Switzerland

Data sources World Values Survey, European Social Survey Both are cross-sectional sample surveys, designed to be representative of the population (including age structure) of each country studied. Weights are assigned to individuals. WVS 4-5 main waves (more to come) ; 1990; (1995); ; countries covered in at least one of the last 2 waves Total sample sizes are generally over 1000, so respondents in under-30 (young) category ESS 3 waves to date , 2004, 2006 (more planned) 26 countries covered in at least one wave Total sample sizes around 2000, so under-30s number

Definition of “religious” Wording/concepts come from European Christian culture “How often do you attend religious services?” - at least once a month = ‘Attender’ Self-reported attendance rates (may over- or under-estimate, depending on expectations of society) Head counts of people in church can give lower estimates NB: Includes any religion

1.Are young people less religious than older people? 2.Are young people less religious than they used to be? 3.Is secularisation associated with modernisation (=human development)?

1.Are young people less religious than older people? 2.Are young people less religious than they used to be? 3.Is modernisation (=human development) associated with secularisation?

Conclusion: it is not a universal pattern for older people to be more religious than younger people The countries where more younger people are participating in religion or where there is approximate equality include: Some ex-Communist countries African countries Some Muslim/Asian countries Countries with the widest age differentials are: Japan Some Western European and Baltic countries

1.Are young people less religious than older people? 2.Are young people less religious than they used to be? 3.Is secularisation associated with modernisation (=human development)?

Conclusion to question “Are young people less religious than they used to be?” Yes, decline in some countries, in some periods, eg. western Europe up to 2000, some Asian countries (except China)… No, increase in others, eg. Balkans, some ex-communist countries, African countries Stability in others, some at a low level (eg. Scandinavia), others at a high level (eg. some Catholic countries) There is a great diversity of attendance levels and trends!

1.Are young people less religious than older people? 2.Are young people less religious than they used to be? 3.Is secularisation associated with modernisation (=human development)?

Conclusions In general, increased human development is associated with secularisation However, at the highest levels of human development, religious participation is around 20-25% of the population All countries above the trendline in 1995 saw declines in religious participation up to 2005 (except Poland) All countries which saw increased participation in the decade started below the trendline (except Poland)

Further questions How are education, gender and residence linked to religious participation? What are the inter-linkages of happiness-fertility-religiosity? Case studies of secularisation: Austria, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Australia Case studies of revival: Georgia, Armenia, China, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Finland, Norway