{"id":284205,"date":"2026-01-21T09:52:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=284205"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:08:26","slug":"religious-and-spiritual-beliefs-in-latin-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/religious-and-spiritual-beliefs-in-latin-america\/","title":{"rendered":"2. Religious and spiritual beliefs in Latin America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This Pew Research Center study explores a wide variety of spiritual and religious beliefs in six Latin American countries. Our survey included some questions we previously have asked in many countries, such as whether people believe in God and whether they believe in an afterlife. But we also asked about beliefs that are often associated with folk religions \u2013 including Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or Indigenous faiths \u2013 such as beliefs in spells and various kinds of spirits.[12. numoffset=&#8221;12&#8243; The survey was conducted in 2024 in <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2025\/05\/06\/believing-in-spirits-and-life-after-death-is-common-around-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">36 countries<\/a> around the world. This report focuses on six Latin America countries that include about <a href=\"https:\/\/data.worldbank.org\/indicator\/SP.POP.TOTL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three-quarters of the total population<\/a> of Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Peru are the region\u2019s five most populous countries. Chile has the region\u2019s seventh-largest population.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-61b01db2 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>A note on beliefs and practices associated with Latin American folk religions<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to exploring large faiths such as Catholicism and Protestantism, this Pew Research Center survey measures some beliefs and practices associated with Latin American folk religions, broadly referred to as Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or Indigenous religions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The region\u2019s folk religions include <a href=\"https:\/\/sacredart.caaar.duke.edu\/religions\/brazilian-candomble-and-umbanda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Umbanda<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/religion\/religions\/candomble\/beliefs\/beliefs.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Candombl\u00e9<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Santeria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Santer\u00eda<\/a>. They draw on influences ranging from African Yoruba, Fon and Bantu traditions (brought to Latin America and the Caribbean by enslaved people); to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Native-American-religion\/South-America\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indigenous traditions<\/a> (such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu\/cultures\/sg04\/summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mapuche<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu\/cultures\/sq20\/summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ticuna<\/a>); to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Spiritism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spiritism<\/a>; and to Catholicism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Followers of these religions may believe in reincarnation, spiritual forces in nature, and spirits of ancestors or other deceased people who provide healing, counseling and spiritual protection. Some adherents may perform healing rituals or practice divination to try to see the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To measure how widespread such beliefs and practices are, we asked questions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you believe in reincarnation (that people will be reborn in this world again and again)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you believe that spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s lives?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you believe that the spirits of ancestors can help or harm you?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you believe parts of nature, such as mountains, rivers or trees, can have spirits or spiritual energies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you believe animals can have spirits or spiritual energies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you believe certain objects, such as crystals, jewels or stones, can have spirits or spiritual energies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you consult a fortune teller, horoscope or other way to see the future?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We found that there are differences between Catholics and Protestants on some of these measures. For example, Catholics across the region are more likely than Protestants to consult a fortune teller or horoscope to see the future and to believe that the spirits of ancestors can help or harm the living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2014\/11\/13\/chapter-3-religious-beliefs\/#beliefs-associated-with-afro-caribbean-afro-brazilian-or-indigenous-religions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2013-14 survey<\/a> asked about a longer list of beliefs and practices associated with Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous religions, including belief in the evil eye and using a traditional religious healer, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Results for every question can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_topline.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">topline<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around nine-in-ten or more adults in each country surveyed say they believe in God, and about two-thirds say there is probably or definitely life after death. More than half of adults in each country believe that spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s lives, while fewer than half believe in reincarnation.[13. The survey asked respondents whether they believe there \u201cdefinitely is,\u201d \u201cprobably is,\u201d \u201cprobably is not\u201d or \u201cdefinitely is not\u201d life after death. The question did not specify any particular version of what life after death might be like. Respondents were asked whether they believe in \u201creincarnation \u2013 that people will be reborn in this world again and again.\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other findings from the Center\u2019s 2024 survey of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Majorities of adults believe that parts of nature (such as mountains, rivers or trees) can have spirits or spiritual energies, but fewer believe that spirits can reside in objects (such as crystals, jewels or stones).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catholics are consistently more likely than Protestants to believe in reincarnation, while in some countries, Protestants are more likely than Catholics to believe that spells can influence people\u2019s lives.[14. Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_topline.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">topline<\/a> for the shares of Catholics, Protestants and religiously unaffiliated adults in all six countries who hold each of the beliefs asked about on this survey.]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Older adults in some countries are more likely than younger adults to believe in God, but younger adults are more likely to believe in \u201csomething spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we cannot see it.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-61b01db2 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>About this research<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report describes how the religious affiliation of people in six Latin American countries has changed over the past decade. It also examines their religious beliefs and practices. It focuses on several of the largest countries in the region: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Peru are the five <a href=\"https:\/\/data.worldbank.org\/indicator\/SP.POP.TOTL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most populous<\/a> countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Chile has the region\u2019s seventh-largest population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why did we do this? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center conducts opinion surveys, demographic studies and other research to better understand the role of religion in public life, among other topics. Some of our recent reports on religion and spirituality around the world have focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2025\/03\/26\/around-the-world-many-people-are-leaving-their-childhood-religions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">religious switching<\/a>, beliefs about <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2025\/05\/06\/believing-in-spirits-and-life-after-death-is-common-around-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life after death<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/09\/26\/how-people-in-latin-america-and-the-u-s-view-pope-francis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public opinion on Pope Francis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How did we do this? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report is based mainly on a Pew Research Center survey conducted in spring 2024 that included more than 6,200 Latin American adults (ages 18 and older).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_topline.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">questions and responses used for this report<\/a>, along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2026\/01\/21\/methodology-religion-in-latin-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survey methodology<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who funded this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This analysis was produced by Pew Research Center as part of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/topic\/religion\/religious-demographics\/pew-templeton-global-religious-futures-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project<\/a>, which analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world. Funding for the Global Religious Futures project comes from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation (grant 63095). This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.<a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-god&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-god\">Belief in God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About nine-in-ten or more adults in each of the six countries surveyed say they believe in God. For instance, 94% of Mexicans say they believe in God, as do 98% of Brazilians, similar to the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2014\/11\/13\/chapter-3-religious-beliefs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shares reported in 2013-14<\/a>.[15. We can directly compare results on two questions about religious beliefs in the 2024 survey to identical questions we asked in 2013-14: belief in God and belief in reincarnation. Some other questions are not directly comparable due to changes in question wording or response options. In addition, the 2024 survey includes some new questions.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284371\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f5f5f3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f5f5f3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"805\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?w=535\" alt=\"Table showing belief in God has remained high in Latin America\" class=\"wp-image-284371 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=157,300 157w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=768,1471 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=535,1024 535w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=802,1536 802w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=211,405 211w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=200,383 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=260,498 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=310,594 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=420,805 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=640,1226 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=740,1417 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=160,306 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-01.png?resize=320,613 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearly all Catholics and Protestants say they believe in God, with percentages virtually unchanged from <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2014\/11\/13\/chapter-3-religious-beliefs\/#belief-in-god-angels-and-miracles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a decade ago<\/a>. (The sample of Protestants in Mexico is too small to analyze separately.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Argentina, for example, 99% of Catholics and Protestants said they believe in God in 2013-14, and 99% say the same today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Majorities of religiously unaffiliated adults believe in God, though they are less likely than Catholics or Protestants to hold this belief. In Chile, for example, 69% of unaffiliated adults say they believe in God, compared with 99% of Catholics and 100% of Protestants surveyed.[16. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number, including rounding to 100%. Survey-based estimates of 100% do not necessarily mean that <em>everyone <\/em>in those groups holds this belief.] (The unaffiliated category, sometimes referred to as religious \u201cnones,\u201d consists of people who answer a question about their religion by saying they are atheist, agnostic or \u201cnothing in particular.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Mexico, the share of religiously unaffiliated adults who believe in God appears to have risen sharply since 2013-14, almost doubling in size to 76%. However, the sample of \u201cnones\u201d in Mexico is relatively small, so there is a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2026\/01\/21\/methodology-religion-in-latin-america\/#religious-identification\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">large margin of error<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some Latin American countries, adults ages 18 to 34 are slightly less likely than those 50 and older to say they believe in God. The age gap is largest in Chile, where 83% of younger adults say they believe in God, compared with 96% of the oldest adults. However, in Brazil, 98% of <em>both<\/em> younger and older adults hold this belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adults with higher levels of education tend to be less likely than those with lower levels of education to believe in God. For instance, 86% of Argentine adults who have at least a secondary education believe in God, compared with 95% of Argentines with less education.[17. Secondary education is the equivalent of high school in the United States.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Women are somewhat more likely than men to express belief in God in Chile, Colombia and Peru. For example, 99% of Colombian women say they believe in God, compared with 94% of Colombian men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a> for more information about how this measure varies by frequency of prayer and across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-a-spiritual-presence-beyond-the-natural-world&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-a-spiritual-presence-beyond-the-natural-world\">Belief in a spiritual presence beyond the natural world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Respondents were asked whether they believe \u201cthere is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we cannot see it\u201d or, alternatively, \u201cthe natural world is all there is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Majorities in each country, ranging from 56% of adults in Peru to 69% of adults in Brazil, say they believe there is something spiritual beyond the natural world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Colombia, Chile and Peru, Protestants are more likely than Catholics or religiously unaffiliated adults to say there is something spiritual beyond this world, even if we cannot see it. And in several countries surveyed, Catholics are more similar to religiously unaffiliated adults than to Protestants on this question. For instance, in Peru, seven-in-ten Protestants say there is something spiritual beyond this world, while about half of Peruvian Catholics and \u201cnones\u201d say the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284372\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0efef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0efef;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"390\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart showing more Latin American Protestants than Catholics say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world\" class=\"wp-image-284372 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=300,279 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=768,713 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=436,405 436w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=200,186 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=260,241 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=310,288 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=420,390 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=640,594 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=740,687 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=160,149 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-02.png?resize=320,297 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Argentina is the only Latin American country surveyed in which Catholics (66%) are more likely than \u201cnones\u201d (49%) to say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general, younger adults in the Latin American countries surveyed are more likely than older people to believe there is something spiritual beyond the natural world. That\u2019s a reversal of the age pattern we find on belief in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284373\"><img data-dominant-color=\"efefee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #efefee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"458\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart showing that in many Latin American countries, younger adults are more likely than older adults to say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world\" class=\"wp-image-284373 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=275,300 275w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=768,837 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=371,405 371w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=200,218 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=260,284 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=310,338 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=420,458 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=640,698 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=740,807 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=160,174 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-03.png?resize=320,349 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Chile, 68% of adults ages 18 to 34 believe in something spiritual beyond the natural world, compared with 51% of adults ages 50 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the region, adults with higher levels of education are more likely than those with lower levels of education to say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world. In Mexico, for example, 73% of adults who have completed secondary school express this belief, compared with 54% of adults who have less education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a> for more information about how this measure varies by frequency of prayer and across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-life-after-death&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-life-after-death\">Belief in life after death<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Belief in an afterlife is common in Latin America, with about two-thirds of adults in each country saying there is definitely or probably life after death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284374\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0efef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0efef;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"353\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart showing that around half or more of \u2018nones\u2019 in many Latin American countries believe in an afterlife\" class=\"wp-image-284374 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=300,252 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=768,645 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=482,405 482w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=200,168 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=260,219 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=310,261 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=420,353 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=640,538 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=740,622 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=160,134 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-04.png?resize=320,269 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Colombia, Chile and Peru, Protestants are more likely than Catholics and religiously unaffiliated adults to say there is definitely or probably life after death. For instance, in Colombia, 86% of Protestants believe in an afterlife, compared with 66% of Catholics and 58% of \u201cnones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a>&nbsp;for more information about how this measure varies by frequency of prayer and across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-reincarnation&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-reincarnation\">Belief in reincarnation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fewer than half of adults in each country believe in reincarnation, making this belief less common than belief in an afterlife. (In the survey, reincarnation was defined as people being \u201creborn in this world again and again.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Argentina, Colombia and Peru, larger shares of adults overall say they believe in reincarnation now than <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2014\/11\/13\/chapter-3-religious-beliefs\/#beliefs-associated-with-afro-caribbean-afro-brazilian-or-indigenous-religions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a decade ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284375\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f2f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f2f2;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"827\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?w=520\" alt=\"Table showing that in Argentina, Colombia and Peru, belief in reincarnation is more common now than a decade ago\" class=\"wp-image-284375 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=152,300 152w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=768,1512 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=520,1024 520w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=780,1536 780w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=206,405 206w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=200,394 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=260,512 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=310,610 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=420,827 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=640,1260 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=740,1457 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=160,315 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-05.png?resize=320,630 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Argentina, Chile and Mexico, religiously unaffiliated adults in particular have become more likely to believe in reincarnation; in Mexico, there\u2019s been a 25-point increase since 2013-14. However, the sample of unaffiliated people in Mexico is relatively small (199), with a large margin of error (plus or minus 10.0 percentage points).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the region, Catholics continue to be more likely than Protestants to express belief in reincarnation. In Brazil and Chile, religiously unaffiliated adults also are now more likely than Protestants to say they believe in reincarnation. For instance, in Chile, twice as many \u201cnones\u201d as Protestants hold this belief (49% vs. 25%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In several countries, younger adults are more likely than adults ages 50 and older to say they believe in reincarnation. For instance, 46% of adults under 35 in Colombia believe in reincarnation, compared with 35% of older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a>&nbsp;for more information about how this measure varies by frequency of prayer and across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-spells-curses-and-other-magic&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-spells-curses-and-other-magic\">Belief in spells, curses and other magic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Majorities of adults in all six countries surveyed say they believe that spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s lives. This ranges from 56% of Mexicans to 72% of Colombians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284376\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1efef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1efef;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"355\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart showing 83% of Protestants in Colombia believe spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s lives\" class=\"wp-image-284376 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=300,254 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=768,649 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=479,405 479w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=200,169 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=260,220 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=310,262 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=420,355 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=640,541 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=740,625 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=160,135 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-06.png?resize=320,270 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some countries, Protestants are more likely than Catholics to believe spells have real effects. For instance, 83% of Colombian Protestants believe in this, compared with 71% of Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Brazil, there are differences <em>within<\/em> Protestantism as well. Pentecostal Protestants (73%) are far more likely than other Protestants in Brazil (53%) to say spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s lives. (Brazil is the only surveyed country with samples large enough to compare Pentecostal Protestants with non-Pentecostal Protestants.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Argentina and Chile, \u201cnones\u201d are less likely than Catholics or Protestants to believe that spells, curses and the like really do work. In Chile, for example, about three-quarters of Protestants and two-thirds of Catholics say these kinds of magic can influence people\u2019s lives, compared with about half of \u201cnones\u201d who say the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a>&nbsp;for more information about how this measure varies by frequency of prayer and across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;belief-in-spirits-or-spiritual-energies&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belief-in-spirits-or-spiritual-energies\">Belief in spirits or spiritual energies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can spirits or spiritual energies exist in parts of nature, such as mountains, rivers or trees? What about in animals? Or in certain objects such as crystals, jewels or stones?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Majorities across the six countries surveyed believe that parts of nature and animals can have spirits or spiritual energies, but far fewer believe this about objects such as crystals or jewels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=284377\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f8f6f6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f8f6f6;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"748\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?w=575\" alt=\"Chart showing a majority of Latin American Catholics and \u2018nones\u2019 say parts of nature can have spirits or spiritual energies\" class=\"wp-image-284377 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=168,300 168w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=768,1368 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=575,1024 575w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=227,405 227w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=200,356 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=260,463 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=310,552 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=420,748 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=640,1140 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=740,1318 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=160,285 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_02-07.png?resize=320,570 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, about three-quarters of Chileans say that animals or parts of nature can have spiritual energies, while a third of Chilean adults say objects can have spiritual energies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the region, Catholics and religiously unaffiliated adults tend to be more likely than Protestants to believe in these types of spirits. In Colombia, for example, 68% of Catholics and 76% of \u201cnones\u201d believe animals can have spirits or spiritual energies, compared with 56% of Protestants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Younger adults are more likely than older adults to say animals can have spirits or spiritual energies. For instance, 77% of Peruvians ages 18 to 34 believe animals can have spirits, while 56% of Peruvians 50 and older hold this belief. However, younger and older adults are equally likely to say parts of nature and certain objects can have spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In several countries, people who pray at least daily are less likely than those who pray less often to say that animals can have spirits or spiritual energies. In Argentina, 70% of adults who pray daily believe this about animals, compared with 80% of those who pray less often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, there\u2019s no clear link between how often people pray and whether they believe that parts of nature or certain objects can have spirits or spiritual energies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Refer to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&amp;gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed tables<\/a>&nbsp;for more information about how this measure varies across demographic groups.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Majorities in the six countries surveyed believe in God, in life after death, and that spells, curses or other magic can influence people\u2019s 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Religious affiliation in Latin America","slug":"religious-affiliation-in-latin-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/religious-affiliation-in-latin-america\/","is_active":false},{"id":284205,"title":"2. Religious and spiritual beliefs in Latin America","slug":"religious-and-spiritual-beliefs-in-latin-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/religious-and-spiritual-beliefs-in-latin-america\/","is_active":true},{"id":284206,"title":"3. Religious and spiritual practices in Latin America","slug":"religious-and-spiritual-practices-in-latin-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/religious-and-spiritual-practices-in-latin-america\/","is_active":false},{"id":284207,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"acknowledgments-religion-in-latin-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/acknowledgments-religion-in-latin-america\/","is_active":false},{"id":284208,"title":"Methodology","slug":"methodology-religion-in-latin-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2026\/01\/21\/methodology-religion-in-latin-america\/","is_active":false}],"report_materials":[{"key":"_vcjxwuacb","type":"report","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_report.pdf","label":"Report PDF","attachmentId":284708},{"key":"_rl95jnd94","type":"topline","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_topline.pdf","label":"Topline","attachmentId":283509},{"key":"_7oyfim9dj","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1fiVHaVPa3NiPfgNCapTqVz9DV9Ppw81TwoTVKKeheD8\/edit?pli=1&gid=1048563181#gid=1048563181","label":"Detailed tables","icon":"detailedTable"},{"key":"_pxnylt1hy","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_main-findings-spanish.pdf","label":"Spanish main findings: El catolicismo ha perdido fieles en Am\u00e9rica Latina durante la \u00faltima d\u00e9cada","icon":"detailedTable"},{"key":"_mnw31tk9h","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/PR_2026.01.21_religion-in-latin-america_main-findings-portuguese.pdf","label":"Portuguese main findings: O catolicismo diminuiu na Am\u00e9rica Latina na \u00faltima d\u00e9cada","icon":"detailedTable"},{"type":"dataset","id":2789,"label":"Spring 2024 Survey Data","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/dataset\/spring-2024-survey-data\/"}],"report_pagination":{"current_post":{"id":284205,"title":"2. 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