The Global Pulse on Scripture
In a world where nearly everyone can access a Bible with a tap on a smartphone, a crucial question remains: What do people worldwide think of it? The Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey—commissioned by the British and Foreign Bible Society and United Bible Societies and conducted by Gallup—offers the most comprehensive global snapshot ever taken on Bible attitudes, beliefs, and engagement.
A Groundbreaking Study
For three years, researchers gathered data from 91,139 adults across 85 countries, representing 3.8 billion people. In total, the project analyzed religious, cultural, economic, and political contexts across 150 countries to form a globally representative picture of perceptions and use of the Bible. By dividing the world into seven distinct “mission clusters,” the study reveals how context—sociopolitical, economic, or religious—profoundly shapes people’s engagement with the Bible.
From secular Europe to vibrant sub-Saharan Africa, the Patmos Initiative offers rich insights into global attitudes toward Scripture, capturing what people believe about the Bible and why they believe it.
Key Findings at a Glance
1. Religious belief is far from dead
Despite common narratives of religious decline, the study finds that religion remains central to daily life in five out of seven global clusters. Even in the secular West (Cluster 5), 62% believe in God or a higher power. In parts of the Sahel (Cluster 1), that figure soars to nearly 100%.
2. Bible engagement is growing where you might least expect
Surprisingly, the highest levels of Bible engagement often occur where Christians are a minority. In predominantly Muslim countries (Clusters 1 and 3), Bible usage among Christians remains strong, driven by minority resilience and spiritual hunger.
3. A growing curiosity about the Bible—even among non-Christians
One of the most striking findings was that 11% of respondents with no Christian background—over 250 million people globally—expressed interest in learning more about the Bible. This curiosity was especially strong in countries where Christianity is already the majority religion.
4. Bible literacy remains a significant gap
While access has never been greater, awareness is still a significant barrier. In parts of Asia, more than half of the population has never heard of the Bible. Across the entire study, only 42% of Christians report using the Bible weekly, and nearly a third say it has little personal relevance.
5. Children and Scripture: A universal starting point
Encouragingly, 70% of all respondents, regardless of belief, agree that it’s good for children to know Bible stories. This shared value offers a key entry point for engaging families and communities with Scripture.
6. The challenge of indifference
Perhaps the most sobering insight is the indifference growing in secular contexts. In Western countries, large segments of the population are either “indifferent” or “closed” to the Bible. In Cluster 5 alone, 22% said the Bible has caused harm, and 56% of a subgroup said the world would be better without it.
Why This Study Matters
The Patmos Survey goes far beyond surface-level stats. It provides what project lead Richard Powney calls “strategic intelligence”—data that helps churches, missionaries, educators, and policymakers understand the real state of faith worldwide. Its missiological lens allows for smarter, more compassionate engagement with global audiences.
Dirk Gevers of the United Bible Societies summarizes it well: “These findings are both a source of encouragement and a call to action.” The Patmos Initiative reveals a world where spiritual hunger still exists—but where awareness, relevance, and access must be continually addressed.
Read the Full Report
Want to explore more? The full 109-page report unpacks these findings by region, demographic group, and belief segment, offering practical insights for those interested in global Christianity and the future of Bible engagement.
Visit patmos.bfbs.org to read the Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey.
Be a Bible Engagement advocate. Please share this article with others.
Related Articles
Summary
The Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey, conducted over three years with 91,139 participants across 85 countries, provides the most comprehensive global view, to date, of beliefs and engagement with the Bible. It reveals that religious belief remains strong worldwide, with high Bible engagement even in regions where Christians are a minority. Curiosity about the Bible is growing among non-Christians, though widespread Bible illiteracy and growing indifference, especially in secular contexts, pose ongoing challenges. The findings offer valuable insights for churches and organizations, highlighting obstacles and opportunities for global Scripture engagement.
FAQ 1. What is the Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey?
The Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey is a global research study commissioned by the British and Foreign Bible Society and United Bible Societies and conducted by Gallup. It surveyed over 91,000 people across 85 countries to understand global attitudes, beliefs, and engagement with the Bible in different cultural and religious contexts.
FAQ 2. What are the key findings of the global Bible attitudes study?
Key findings show that religious belief remains strong worldwide, even in secular regions; that curiosity about the Bible is growing among non-Christians; and that Bible engagement is highest in some minority-Christian contexts. However, the study also highlights significant gaps in Bible literacy, especially in regions where many people have never encountered Scripture.
FAQ 3. Why is the Patmos Bible survey important for churches and mission work?
The survey provides valuable insights—called “strategic intelligence”—to help churches, ministries, and Bible societies understand how people around the world view Scripture. It highlights both opportunities for engagement and challenges such as indifference and lack of awareness, helping shape more effective global mission strategies.
© Scripture Union Canada
