Young people leading the charge on non-religious identity, analysis claims; Bible Society responds

April 6, 2026

A new analysis contends that non-religious identity among young people in the United Kingdom, particularly those under 35, is a permanent shift rather than a temporary phase.

The Christian Post reports that the analysis comes just days after YouGov retracted the Bible Society’s “Quiet Revival” data which suggested a rise in church attendance among young people in parts of the United Kingdom.

The analysis, sponsored by Humanists UK, a national charity that promotes secular humanism, found that that 61% of 16 to 34-year-olds identify with no religion.

Researchers say that ninety-four percent of the 16 to 34-year-olds raised as non-religious still identified with no religion as adults, while 4% of people in the same age group raised as non-religious adopted any form of Christianity.

Humanists UK’s analysis claims, “The data shows that non-religious identity is not a phase young people pass through — it is a settled and stable worldview.”

Janet Ellis, the president of Humanists UK, stated, “For young people, [labeling] them just as ‘nones’ or ‘no religion’ can be misleading because it implies an absence,”

Ellis added, “But what they actually have is a positive way of being in the world: looking for evidence to know what’s true, and looking to friendships, hobbies, and relationships to give life meaning.”

According to the Christian Post, Humanists UK says the data “reveals the near-total collapse of Church of England identity among younger generations.”

In response to the Humanists UK comments, a Bible Society spokesperson cautioned against concluding that young people who identify as non-religious lack spiritual beliefs, noting that this is an area of study in development.

Bible Society CEO Paul Williams said his organization will continue trying to understand the “changing landscape” through research focused on attitudes toward faith and the Bible.

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