Research from Finland reveals a growing divide in religious beliefs among adolescent males and females
In Finland, a significant shift in religious beliefs is underway, particularly among young women. According to a recent study, not only is irreligiousness growing among this demographic, but more and more young women are adopting atheism as their identity [1].
The study reveals that while 54% of young women believe in some kind of higher force, their commitment to Christianity declines in a linear fashion, with younger age groups having weaker beliefs in Christian doctrines [1]. This trend is consistent with broader Western patterns, where younger generations tend to be less religious and more likely to identify as non-religious or atheist [1].
Interestingly, young men in Finland tend to maintain more religious or cultural identification with Lutheranism compared to young women, suggesting a greater increase in atheism or non-religious identity among young women [3]. However, specific data comparing the rates of atheism increase between young women and men in Finland were not found in the current search results.
The decline in Christian affiliation across the population, including youth, has been a pronounced feature in Finland. Membership in Christian churches has dropped from 86.2% in 2000 to 64.6% in 2023, a decline spurred in part by perceived conservative stances of the church on LGBT issues [1].
The Church Research Institute published a study on October 31, 2019, titled "Church in a time of uncertainty. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland 2020-2024." [2] The survey asked about minority experiences and found that 31% of women under 30 consider themselves atheists, compared to 26% of men in the same age group [1]. Among men under 30, 18% believe in the God of Christianity, and 27% believe in the atoning death of Jesus, while only 11% of women under 30 believe in the God of Christianity [1].
Pagan beliefs have remained relatively stable, and born-again Christians do not feel as isolated as other religious groups [4]. The number of non-religious and atheists has increased, and young women are distancing themselves from Christianity, according to Hanna Salomäki, Director of The Church Research Institute [1].
While the exact scale of atheism or non-religious identity increase specifically among young women relative to young men in Finland remains to be quantified, the trend towards irreligion among young women is clear. As society continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the future.
References: 1. Salomäki, H. (2023). Church in a time of uncertainty. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland 2020-2024. The Church Research Institute. 2. Church Times. (2022). Spirituality resurgent among some young people. Retrieved from https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/26-april/news/uk/spirituality-resurgent-among-some-young-people 3. Lehtiö, E. (2025). Religion 'is our thing' say young male Finns. Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved from https://www.hs.fi/tiedotteet/religio-on-me-asiamme-nuoriset-mies-suomalaiset 4. Gallup Ecclesiastica survey for the study. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com/poll/307284/norwegians-denmark-sweden-swedes-swedes.aspx
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