In an intriguing cultural shift, Bible sales in the UK have experienced a dramatic rise, soaring by 87% from £2.69 million in 2019 to £5.02 million in 2024, as reported by SPCK Group and Nielsen Book Data. This surge contrasts with the decline seen in the broader non-fiction book market.
Researchers and publishers suggest that this increase is largely driven by Generation Z’s growing interest in spirituality. While non-fiction book sales overall saw a 6% decrease between 2023 and 2024, religious books have defied this trend. Specifically, the “Bibles and liturgy” category has expanded from £7 million in 2019 to £8.1 million in 2024, continuing an upward trend from £5 million in 2008. Spending on religious books reached £25.2 million last year, marking a 3% rise from the previous year.
Recent surveys indicate that young people are leading this change. Notably, a January poll revealed that 62% of 18 to 24-year-olds regard themselves as “very” or “fairly” spiritual, in stark contrast to 35% of those over 65.
Moreover, only a small fraction, 13%, of Generation Z identify as atheists, which is significantly lower than the 20% of millennials and 25% of Generation X who do.
According to Sam Richardson, Chief Executive of SPCK, these developments signify a profound cultural transformation. He stated, “We are at the centre of a significant cultural shift regarding matters of faith and religion. Atheism, once considered by modern society to be the view of most rational adults, no longer seems to carry the same weight or appeal. Young people – Gen Z in particular – are statistically far less likely to identify as atheists than their parents.”
External factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and a rising mental health crisis, are believed to have spurred this spiritual resurgence. Many young individuals are turning to spirituality for comfort and guidance during uncertain times.
Mark Woods from the Bible Society noted the growing demand for Bibles, driven by both personal purchases and institutions such as churches and schools providing them to young people. “Either way, there’s a very clear increase in demand,” he explained. “This seems to arise from a perception that the Bible has something important to say to young people, and from a desire to make it accessible to them.”
The Good News Bible: The Youth Edition has seen a significant boost in popularity, with sales nearly doubling since 2021. This edition is tailored for younger readers, featuring explanatory notes, infographics, and spaces for personal reflection.
The trend also shows a preference for modern translations, with the New International Version and Good News Bible outselling the King James Bible.
Despite a broader trend towards secularism in the UK, the upswing in Bible sales underscores the enduring power of faith, especially among the youth. In these uncertain times, young people are increasingly turning to Christian scriptures, a practice that seemed to be waning.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
