New Data: Seminarians Since Francis in Free Fall - Last Peak In 2011 Under Benedict XVI

The Catholic population of the world has allegedly grown slightly faster (1,389,573,000/+13,721,000) than the total population in 2022, according to the 'Church's Book of Statistics 2024', analysed by Fides.org.

There are fewer Catholics in Europe (285,589,000/-474,000), but growing numbers in Africa (272,423,000/+7,271,000), America (666,209,000/+5,912,000) and Asia (154,244,000/+889,000). This trend is continuous over a 25-year period (1998-2022).

The decrease in seminarians during the pontificate of Francis is remarkable but not surprising. The number of seminarians worldwide fell from 109,895 at the end of 2021 to 108,481 at the end of 2022.

The decline in seminarians in 2022 was most pronounced in the Americas and in Europe. In Africa the number of seminarians increased by 726 in 2022 (priesthood confers social status).

Between the end of 2020 and the end of 2021, the number of seminarians worldwide dropped from 111,855 to 109,895.

The decline has been particularly pronounced since 2019: the number of seminarians at the end of 2019 was 114,058.

During the pontificate of John Paul II: The number of seminarians worldwide increased from 63,882 in 1978 to 110,553 in 2000.

During the pontificate of Benedict XVI: The number of seminarians increased peaking at 120,616 in 2011.

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