Global Snapshot

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reports a significant global presence. As of the end of 2024, its total membership reached over 17.5 million individuals, spread across numerous congregations and administrative units worldwide.

Source: Official Church Statistical Report, 2024.

Understanding Membership Numbers

The Church counts “Members of Record,” including baptized individuals and children under nine who have been blessed. Names are generally kept on records unless notice of death, formal resignation, or excommunication occurs. If contact is lost, names may remain until the individual would have reached 110 years old.

This means official figures include all on record, regardless of current activity levels. External researchers estimate the number of “active” members (regularly attending and participating) is lower. A widely cited 2005 estimate suggested about one-third of reported global membership was “active” at that time. Activity rates are believed to vary geographically.

Note: Activity rate is based on external estimates (e.g., 2005 data suggesting ~1/3 active globally). The Church does not publish official activity statistics.

A Century of Growth

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown from six initial members in 1830. It took 117 years to reach its first million members in 1947. Growth accelerated significantly after World War II, though rates have moderated in recent decades.

Source: Official Church statistics and historical data compilations. While the *rate* of growth has slowed, the *absolute number* of members added annually can still be substantial.

Global Footprint

Originating in the United States, the Church is now an international faith, with more than half of its members residing outside the U.S. The most rapid growth in recent years is occurring in Africa and parts of Asia.

The Missionary Endeavor

A large, organized missionary program is a primary driver of the Church’s growth. Young men and women, along with senior couples, serve voluntarily worldwide.

Missionary “success” is also viewed by the Church in terms of the personal development of missionaries and planting seeds of faith, not solely by baptism numbers. Convert retention remains an ongoing focus.

Comparative Perspective

With 17.5 million members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a significant global religious body, larger than some entire world religions like Judaism (core population). However, within the ~2.4-2.6 billion adherents of global Christianity, it represents less than 1%. The Church emphasizes distinct beliefs that set it apart from mainstream Christianity, often leading to discussions about the relationship between Mormon beliefs and Christianity. Despite these differences, members of the Church consider themselves Christians, as they worship Jesus Christ and view their teachings as a restoration of His original Gospel. This unique position fuels ongoing dialogue about faith, doctrine, and the nature of belief in the modern world. Additionally, the diversity within Christianity is mirrored in the personal journeys of individuals, such as artists and public figures. For instance, Benson Boone’s religious beliefs reflect a blend of traditional values and contemporary perspectives, highlighting how faith can evolve in a modern context. Such individual stories contribute to the broader understanding of how differing interpretations of belief coexist within a global framework.

Data for other religions are estimates from various recent sources (c. 2022-2024). “Global Baptists (est.)” is a broad estimate for one large Protestant family. The y-axis is linear, so larger groups will appear significantly taller.