Does Generation Z still believe in God?

The decline of religion—or the birth of a new kind of faith?

In centuries past, belief in God formed the bedrock of identity, morality, and community. Today, in Europe, at least, that foundation is visibly cracking. Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is the least religious generation in modern history—but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve stopped believing. Rather, they may be searching for meaning elsewhere.

What we’re witnessing isn’t the end of faith. It’s a transformation.

A sharp generational break with institutional religion

According to the Tony Blair Institute (2019), over 70% of young Europeans aged 16–29 identify as non-religious. Regular church attendance has dropped to historic lows in France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This marks a profound cultural shift—but what’s driving it?

• Education and science: Gen Z is statistically more educated and scientifically literate than previous generations. They trust data, not doctrine. Big existential questions—once answered by religion—are now the realm of psychology, physics, or philosophy.
• Crisis of credibility: From child abuse scandals in the Catholic Church to rigid stances on LGBTQ+ rights, many religious institutions have lost moral authority in the eyes of Gen Z.
• Individualization of belief: Gen Z no longer inherits religion. They build their own belief systems, and family traditions play a smaller role in shaping religious identity.

Yet, despite this disaffiliation from organized religion, belief in “something greater” remains widespread.

The rise of spiritual individualism

Gen Z may be secular, but they are not spiritually void. Instead of pews and prayer books, they’re turning to tarot decks, meditation apps, and astrology memes.

• Over 60% of Gen Z in Europe believe in a higher force, fate, or spiritual energy, even if they reject organized religion (Pew Research, 2023).
• Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have birthed new communities around spirituality—#witchtok, #manifestation, #spiritualawakening.
• Practices like mindfulness, breathwork, and “energy healing” have gained traction, offering therapeutic alternatives to traditional rituals.

Faith becomes fragmented, personalized, and often commodified in this new landscape. Vukojevic (2020) notes that Gen Z’s spirituality is often guided by digital content creators, not religious leaders.

Polarization: devout minorities vs. spiritual minimalists

While many are moving away from institutional faith, two subgroups are moving in opposite directions:

• More substantial commitment in minority faiths: In France and Germany, young Muslims often show stronger religious engagement than their secular peers. Religion becomes both a cultural anchor and a source of resistance to assimilation.
• The rise of radical atheism: On the flip side, a segment of Gen Z is militantly secular—viewing all religions as superstition or oppression. Online spaces often amplify this voice, reinforcing a view of belief as irrational.

The result is a growing ideological divide between those who see religion as outdated—and those who cling to it with renewed fervor.

Technology: the new priesthood?

Digital life plays a paradoxical role in Gen Z’s faith journey:

• Mediated belief: Religious content is increasingly consumed online—sermons on YouTube, Bible apps, prayer groups on WhatsApp.
• Algorithmic distraction: Simultaneously, platforms like TikTok pull attention away from reflection, reducing faith to 60-second fragments. As one researcher put it: “Gen Z scrolls through spirituality the way others once walked through cathedrals.”
• Influencer spirituality: Religious and spiritual figures compete with lifestyle influencers for attention. Some blend both, promoting faith alongside fashion and fitness.

In some cases, technology enhances spiritual connection. In others, it dilutes it.

Post-Christian Europe—and beyond?

The future of faith in Europe may no longer belong to cathedrals but to curated belief systems stitched together from Buddhism, psychology, and pop culture. This post-Christian spirituality has four defining features:

1. Selectivity: Young people choose spiritual elements that resonate—crystals here, karma there.
2. Utility: Beliefs are chosen for emotional value, not eternal truth. If they calm anxiety or build resilience, they ” work.”
3. Identity-building: Spirituality becomes a way to shape one’s persona—on and offline.
4. Hybridization: Practices blend seamlessly with digital life. Meditation apps, AI-guided prayer, or VR pilgrimage are no longer a fantasy.

Why this matters—for religion, education, and culture

Understanding this shift is essential:

• For faith institutions, the challenge isn’t just to modernize. It’s to remain meaningful. Gen Z craves authenticity, inclusion, and psychological relevance—not dogma.
• For schools: Religious education must evolve into spiritual literacy—exploring how meaning, ethics, and identity form across belief systems.
• For brands and media: Wellness, fashion, and entertainment increasingly intersect with spiritual narratives. Recognizing this can unlock new forms of engagement.

Final thought: the soul in a secular age

Gen Z is not the death of faith. They are its remixers. In their world, belief is a playlist—shuffled, curated, and sometimes skipped. But at its core lies the same timeless question: What gives life meaning?

That question endures whether it’s asked through a Bible verse, a breathing exercise, or a trending hashtag.