Spiritual Beliefs Remain Strong Across Latin America

A comprehensive study by the Pew Research Center reveals that traditional spiritual and religious beliefs continue to dominate across six Latin American nations, demonstrating the enduring strength of faith-based values in the region.

The 2024 survey, covering Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, found that approximately nine out of ten adults in each country maintain belief in God, with Brazil recording the highest percentage at 98% and Mexico at 94%.

Traditional Faith Maintains Dominance

The research demonstrates remarkable consistency in religious conviction across the region. Nearly all Catholics and Protestants express belief in God, with percentages remaining virtually unchanged from a decade earlier. This stability reflects the deep-rooted nature of traditional religious values in Latin American society.

Even among religiously unaffiliated adults, substantial majorities maintain belief in God, though at lower rates than their affiliated counterparts. In Chile, 69% of unaffiliated adults believe in God, compared with 99% of Catholics and 100% of Protestants.

Afterlife Beliefs Widespread

Approximately two-thirds of adults across all surveyed countries believe in life after death, reinforcing traditional concepts of spiritual continuation beyond earthly existence. Protestant communities consistently show higher rates of afterlife belief compared to Catholics and unaffiliated populations.

Belief in reincarnation, while less common than afterlife concepts, has shown notable increases in Argentina, Colombia and Peru since previous surveys, suggesting some evolution in spiritual perspectives.

Folk Traditions Persist

The study reveals that majorities in all six countries believe spells, curses or other forms of traditional magic can influence human affairs, ranging from 56% in Mexico to 72% in Colombia. This finding underscores the continued relevance of indigenous and folk spiritual traditions alongside mainstream religious practice.

Similarly, substantial majorities believe that natural elements such as mountains, rivers, trees and animals can possess spiritual energies, though fewer extend this belief to objects like crystals or stones.

Demographic Patterns

The research identified several demographic trends. Adults with higher education levels generally show slightly lower rates of belief in God but higher rates of belief in spiritual realms beyond the natural world. Women consistently express stronger religious beliefs than men across multiple categories.

Age patterns vary by belief type, with younger adults sometimes showing different spiritual orientations while maintaining overall high levels of religious conviction.

The study's findings affirm that traditional spiritual and religious frameworks remain fundamental to Latin American cultural identity, providing stability and continuity in rapidly changing societies.