The global membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued its steady ascent in 2025, with growth patterns that underscore a long-standing shift toward the global south. While the Church remains headquartered in the United States, its demographic and institutional momentum is increasingly shaped elsewhere—most notably in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia.
A striking 59.1% of the net increase in membership in 2025 came from just ten countries. Among them, five stand out both for their scale and for what they reveal about the Church’s evolving geography: Brazil, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
Brazil led the world in numerical growth, adding 47,924 members, accounting for 12.7% of the global increase. Total membership there reached 1,573,360. Yet the country presents an instructive contrast: while membership rose, the number of congregations declined from 2,096 in 2024 to 2,008 in 2025. This suggests a continued emphasis on strengthening existing units—consolidating wards and branches to support long-term sustainability and leadership development—rather than simply multiplying congregations.
Mexico followed closely, with 38,229 additional members (10.1% of global growth), bringing total membership to 1,572,287. Unlike Brazil, Mexico’s congregational footprint remained largely stable, with a marginal decrease from 1,878 to 1,875 congregations. The balance between numerical growth and structural stability indicates a mature Church presence, where increases in membership are being absorbed within an already extensive ecclesiastical framework.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the pace of growth remains particularly notable. The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded an increase of 25,704 members (6.8%), while Nigeria added 23,702 (6.3%). Though smaller in absolute membership—159,771 in the Congo and 274,043 in Nigeria—the rate of increase relative to their base is substantial. Both countries also expanded their number of congregations, reflecting not just rising membership but also the formation of new worshipping communities. This dual growth—numerical and structural—points to a phase of active establishment and deepening roots.
The Philippines continues to stand as a cornerstone of the Church in Asia. With 22,621 additional members (6.0%), total membership reached 905,082 in 2025. The country also saw a significant rise in congregations, from 1,324 to 1,370, indicating both sustained interest and the institutional capacity to accommodate it. The Philippines combines scale with steady development, reinforcing its role as one of the Church’s most established and dynamic presences outside the Americas.
Across these diverse settings, a consistent pattern emerges. Growth is not merely a function of increasing numbers, but of careful stewardship—balancing expansion in membership with the strengthening of local congregations, leadership, and infrastructure. In some countries, this results in consolidation; in others, in proliferation. Both approaches reflect local conditions rather than a uniform global strategy.
The data from 2025 affirms that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains one of the more rapidly growing Christian faiths worldwide. Its growth is neither accidental nor uniform. Instead, it is shaped by a combination of demographic trends, local engagement, and an emphasis on community stability. As the centre of gravity continues to shift southward, the Church’s future will increasingly be written in São Paulo, Lagos, Kinshasa, and Manila as much as in Salt Lake City.
Related posts:
Church Clarifies Caffeine Use to Latter-day Saints
Church Leaders Encouraged Members To Extend Love And Encouragement To The LGBT Members
Church Members In West Virginia Have Been Identified As Safe After Major Flooding In West Virginia
Church Representatives Support Prayer Breakfast at UK Parliament