Netherlands: 55% are non-religious, only 14% Protestant

The National Statistical Office of the Netherlands has published new data about the belief of its citizens.

In the traditionally Protestant country, in 2020 only 14.4% identify with a Protestant worldview. The number has slightly fallen from 14.8% in 2019. Catholics had also fallen below the 20% barrier (19.8%). Islam, in contrast, grows, from 5% to 5.2%.

It is the ‘nones’ who continue to grow, reaching a record-high 55% of the population in 2020. According to CNE.news, 2017 was the first year in which the country’s non-religious became a majority.

These latest figures show that 13% of the population attends worship services, 8% every week. Eight in ten rarely or never attends a religious service.

33% say they believe in the existence of God, and 24% say they do not. Interestingly, only one in three Catholics says they are sure about the existance of God. Among Protestants, the figure goes up to 61%. Muslims are those who are most certain about God, 92% say they believe without a doubt.

The research was conducted among population in Netherlands aged 15 or more.