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Global Christianity:

A Rapidly Shifting Landscape

Growth Rate of Christianity, 1970-2020

At the turn of the 20th century, only 18% of the world’s
Christians lived in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In 1980,
the majority share shifted, and more Christians were
found in the Majority World than in the West for the first WESTERN EUROPE
time in 1,000 years. By 2050, it is estimated that 73% of
the world’s Christians will live in the Majority World.
1970 2020

147 M 126 M
CHRISTIANS CHRISTIANS

In 1970, there were nearly 30 million more
Christians in North America (211m) than in
South America (183m). As of 2020, there are now
130 million more Christians in South America
(397m) than in North America (267m).

In West Africa, the small
SOUTH AMERICA country of Benin has seen the

church grow from 500,000
believers in 1970 to over
1970 2020 900% increase in fifty years.
five million in 2020 — a
183 M 397 M
CHRISTIANS CHRISTIANS WEST AFRICA

1970 2020

30 M 147 M

CHRISTIANS CHRISTIANS

6 CULTIVATE