Young Latinos leave Catholic Church as religious ‘nones’ rise

Young Latinos are leaving organized religion faster than any other demographic in the U.S., contributing to what an Axios analysis described as one of the fastest religious shifts in modern history.

The shift is especially evident among Latinos ages 18 to 29, with a growing number identifying as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular,” according to an Aug. 2 Axios analysis. 

The decline has been particularly steep among Catholics. Axios reported that Latino adults who identify as Catholic fell from 67% in 2010 to 43% in 2022, while the percentage of Hispanic Americans with no religious affiliation rose from 18% in 2013 to 23% in 2025. The report noted that Protestant affiliation among Latinos, by comparison, has held at about 21% since 2010.

Axios said the sharp loss of Latino Catholics is now weighing on Catholic communities across the Southwest. It reported that long-established parishes, schools, and congregations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are struggling to stay open, despite what it described as expectations that Latino population growth would sustain them for generations.

Behind what Axios called the “none revolution” is a clear generational divide, with younger Latinos increasingly distancing themselves from institutional religion. Gender also plays a significant role, with the analysis identifying young women of color as a leading force behind the shift.

Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, said the trend reflects a growing divide between young women and conservative religious communities.

“A lot of conservative denominations,” Deckman told Axios, “are doubling down on very patriarchal themes ... and young women, especially, tend to be more vocally supportive of LGBT rights.”

The analysis also cited a 2026 Pew Research Center study showing substantial losses in Catholic affiliation across Latin America.

Axios said the findings point to a “secularization pipeline” extending across the hemisphere, with many immigrants already disconnected from the Church before reaching the U.S.