In the midst of ongoing debates about religious trends in Britain, YouGov plans to revisit its previous research on church attendance, which has been under scrutiny for its claims of a “quiet revival.” The new survey aims to shed further light on these contentious findings.
Initially published by Bible Society in April 2025, the report titled ‘The Quiet Revival‘ utilized two YouGov surveys to suggest a notable increase in church attendance among Christians in England and Wales. According to the data, monthly church attendance among adults identifying as Christian rose from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2024.
A significant rise was noted among 18–24-year-olds, with attendance jumping from 4% to 16%. The increase was particularly pronounced among young men in this age group, with more than 20% attending church monthly. Young women also showed a rise from 4% to 12% within the same timeframe.
Further insights from the research revealed that about a third of young non-churchgoers would consider attending if invited by a friend, while a quarter expressed a desire to learn more about the Bible, indicating the highest interest among any age group.
Dr. Rhiannon McAleer of Bible Society, who co-authored the report, described these findings as “striking,” challenging the perception that the Church in England and Wales was in decline.
While the report generated excitement and was even mentioned in Parliament by MP Danny Kruger, it has faced criticism from sociologists and polling experts who question its accuracy, citing conflicting long-term data.
Emeritus Professor David Voas of University College London has been a vocal critic, stating that if the growth were genuine, it would represent “literally millions of new churchgoers” who have gone unnoticed. He noted in The Telegraph that “the statistical evidence is clear: churchgoing is going down, not up.”
The British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, conducted by NatCen, is often considered a benchmark for such data. Recent BSA figures indicate a decline in regular church attendance among Christians, dropping from 12% in 2018 to 9% in 2024. Among young adults, attendance remains low at 6–7%.
Professor Sir John Curtice of NatCen has urged caution in interpreting isolated data points, emphasizing the reliability of consistent trends observed in BSA’s long-term research.
Internationally, the Pew Research Center has also questioned the claims of revival, highlighting that many rely on opt-in online surveys, which differ from more rigorous sampling methods. Pew’s analysis shows a continued decline in Christian identification, with figures dropping from 54% in 2018 to 44% in 2025.
Dr. Conrad Hackett from Pew warned that repeated revival claims could contribute to “a very misleading narrative,” especially when similar surveys validate each other without robust backing.
Humanists UK has called for the retraction of ‘The Quiet Revival‘ report, while Bible Society has defended its methodology, asserting that YouGov’s surveys are well-conducted and reliable.
YouGov has responded to concerns by detailing its measures to ensure data credibility, including identity checks and preventing fraudulent participation.
Amidst the controversy, indicators of spiritual interest, such as a significant rise in Bible sales in 2025, further fuel the debate. SPCK Group reported record sales, with Publishing Director Lauren Windle suggesting a growing engagement among younger readers.
Notable church figures like Alpha founder Nicky Gumbel and Rachel Jordan-Wolf of Hope Together have observed increased spiritual curiosity and fuller church services.
Bible Society also points out that Pew’s global research shows religiosity levels similar to those reported by YouGov.
As the new YouGov study unfolds later this year, the conversation about the existence of a “quiet revival” continues to capture the attention of both believers and researchers.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
