Every fifth member of Norway’s state church now identifies as atheist, even as young people show renewed interest in Christianity.
Declining Faith in Statistics
The Lutheran Church of Norway, the country’s largest religious body, had approximately 3.4 million members at the end of 2025, representing nearly 62% of citizens. A December 2025 survey of nearly 6,000 members revealed significant shifts: 20% do not believe in God, while 16% firmly affirm His existence.
Compared to a 2023 survey, the percentage of those convinced God does not exist rose by 4 percentage points, while the number of deeply faithful members decreased.
Bishop on Secularization
“We see a continued decline in belief in God and a rise in atheism,” commented Harald Hegstad, Chairman of the Church Council. He noted this indicates the secularization of Norwegian society continues, while acknowledging that personal faith doesn’t always align with formal church membership.
Youth Interest in Faith
Despite overall decline, 78% of respondents would have their children baptized, including half of those identifying as rejecting faith. Participation in confirmation ceremonies increased from 65% in 2023 to 69% in 2025.
Among youth aged 15-29, 33% express interest in exploring Christianity, compared to 18% for those over 30. Nearly half find mysterious aspects of faith fascinating, and 37% seek deeper meaning in daily life.
