Almost 6 in 10 Dutch people do not have a religious affiliation

In 2021, 43 percent of the Dutch population aged 15 years and over said they belong to a religious group or denomination. Eighteen percent of this group described themselves as Catholic, down from 20 percent in 2020 and 27 percent in 2010. Furthermore, 14 percent stated they belonged to a Protestant church, down from 18 percent in 2010. The proportion of Muslims remained stable at 5 percent, as did the group saying they belong to another ideological group (6 percent).

More women than men with a religious affiliation

Of the female population, 45 percent considered themselves to be part of a religious group, versus 40 percent of the male population The greater religious affiliation among women is not new. In 2010, 57 percent of women were members of a religious denomination or ideological group, while among men this was 52 percent.

Wider differences between age groups

In 2021, 28 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds indicated they belong to a religious group, versus 65 percent of the over-75s. The youngest age group (15 to 17 years) held an average position at 41 percent.

In 2010, the differences between the age groups were less pronounced. At that time, almost half of all age groups between 15 and 44 years belonged to a religious group. This rose steadily to a 73-percent share among the over-75s.

Lower attendance at religious services

An increasingly smaller proportion of the population aged 15 or over regularly attends religious services. In 2010, 18 percent of the over-15s still attended a service regularly, i.e. at least once per month. This dropped to 13 percent in 2021.

Of the most common religions in the Netherlands, Catholics go to church the least often (13 percent in 2021). Among Protestants, more than half regularly attend church.

Among Muslims, 43 percent visit a mosque at least once a month. Among those belonging to a different denomination or ideological group, 28 percent attend a service on a regular basis.