A large majority of the Catalan population would be in favour of including a subject on religious culture in the educational curriculum of public schools.

Specifically, 74% of the population say they are ‘totally in favour’ or ‘rather in favour’ of the presence of a subject on general knowledge of religion in schools and colleges.

The data is from the latest edition of the Barometer of Religiosity, published by the official Centre of Opinion Studies of the Catalan government, with data relating to 2023.

The director general of Religious Affairs, Carles Armengol, said the data show that “it is important for coexistence to know the religious practice of citizens”.

Catalonia (north-east of Spain) is one the regions were secularism is strongest. Roman Catholic church attendance is lower than in other parts of Spain, and most children chose not to attend Religious Education class in state-owned schools.

Young people most interested

But it is the young people in Catalonia who are most interested in introducing a subject on religious culture into the academic curriculum, the survey shows.

In the 16-24 age group, up to 46% of young people are ‘totally in favour’ of the proposal, and 37% ‘rather in favour’. That is, 83% in total.

In the 25-34 age group, 79%, and in the 35-49 and 50-64 age groups, 75% and 73% would welcome it.

It is only after the age of 65 that the average percentage in favour of more religious education drops below 70% and stands at 64%.

The most educated, in favour of religious knowledge

By level of education, the barometer also shows that the most educated sectors of the population are the ones who are most in favour of including a subject on religious culture in the academic curriculum.

The difference is 14 points between 64% in favour among those who have only completed primary education and 78% who have completed higher education.

Among those who have completed the Secondary School level (known as ESO in Spain), the percentage is 73% in favour of getting more formation in general religious knowledge, while it stands at 80% among those who have also completed the pre-university course.