WASHINGTON (Realist English). Gallup analysts Frank Newport and Lydia Saad have presented data documenting an unexpected turn in the religious attitudes of American youth. Over the past two years, young men aged 18 to 29 have sharply increased their religious commitment, overtaking their female peers and returning to the highs of the early 2000s. This shift partially changes traditional gender gaps, although among older age groups women remain more religious than men.
Key numbers: the surge among young men
According to Gallup data for 2024–2025 (two‑year aggregates), 42% of young men say religion is “very important” in their lives. This is a sharp jump from 28% in 2022–2023. Among young women, the figure remained largely unchanged — around 30%. As a result, for the first time in a long while, young men are statistically significantly ahead of young women on the importance of religion.
The rise among young men returned them to the level of 25 years ago: in 2000–2001, the figure was 43%. Meanwhile, women of all ages and men over 30 are at or near historic lows.
Gender reversal: only among the young
At the beginning of the millennium, young women were notably more religious than young men (52% vs 43%). The gap reached 16 percentage points in the mid‑2000s, then gradually narrowed. By 2022–2023, the figures were almost level. The latest data mark a clear turning point: now young men are ahead.
However, among people aged 30 and older, women remain more religious than men.
Religious identity and attendance
- Religious affiliation: 63% of young men identify with a religion (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.). This is virtually unchanged from 61% in 2022–2023, but is the highest figure for young men since 2012–2013. Among young women, by contrast, religious identification has fallen to 60%, and since 2020–2021 young men have held a slight advantage.
- Religious attendance: The share of young men who attend church or other worship services monthly or more often rose by 7 points to 40% — the highest since 2012–2013. Attendance among young women also rose, but by only 3 points, to 39%. As a result, young men and women are now virtually tied on this indicator (40% vs 39%).
Political factor: Republicans drive the trend
Gallup analysts found that the surge in religiosity among young men is almost entirely driven by Republicans. Between 2022–2023 and 2024–2025, attendance rose by 7 points among young Republican men, 8 points among young Republican women, and only 3 points among young Democratic men. Among young Democratic women, there was virtually no change.
At the same time, 48% of young men identify as or lean Republican (compared to 41% Democrat). Among young women, by contrast, only 27% are Republican and 60% Democrat. Therefore, the rise in religiosity among Republicans has a much larger impact on the overall statistics for young men than on the statistics for young women.
Overall context: stagnation of religiosity in the US
Nationwide, the religiosity of Americans remains low: indicators of religious importance, attendance and identification are at or near multi‑year lows. However, young men are becoming a notable exception.
What next?
Future Gallup polling will indicate whether this phenomenon is a temporary phase or a lasting change that could eventually reverse the traditional gender gap in religiosity among older Americans.
