The Myth of a Gen Z Revival: What the Data Actually Says About Faith Among Young Adults

It’s hard to believe, but Generation Z is no longer that young. When we hear that term, we often picture teenagers or people in their early twenties. However, keep in mind: the oldest members of Generation Z will turn thirty this year, and many in that group are now in their late twenties. Our perception of how old this generation is needs to evolve as time passes.

Of course, they are also the most widely discussed generation in American religion. You can certainly find some headlines pointing to a resurgence in religious practices among these young adults. But that’s a narrative that I’ve pushed back against for a while now. In short, I just don’t see any evidence at all of a surge in religious belonging, behavior, or belief among Gen Z. In fact, it’s really just the opposite.

For example, I used the last two datasets from the General