Country-by-Country Membership Statistics Released for 2024

The Church has released year-end 2024 membership and congregation totals for most nations with a reported Church presence. These statistics can be accessed on Church's official website at https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics.

Countries with the highest annual membership growth rates for 2024 are listed below. Lists for nations with the most rapid annual membership growth rates are also available for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. A list of the biennial membership growth rates for countries between year-end 2019 to year-end 2021 can be found here. The percentage next to the country name for the list below is the annual membership growth rate for 2024. Countries in bold experienced a membership increase greater than 200 during 2024.

1. Russia* - 255% - 18,132
2. Rwanda - 61.9% - 2,489
3. Mozambique - 27.9% - 31,633
4. Tanzania - 26.5% - 5,022 
5. Malawi - 24.3% - 5,937
6. Angola - 24.1% - 7,321
7. Lesotho - 21.0% - 1,890
8. Zambia - 19.7% - 7,072
9. Burundi - 17.3% - 1,807
10. DR Congo - 16.6% - 134,067
11. Benin - 15.2% - 7,071
12. Republic of Georgia - 14.2% - 313
13. Uganda - 13.9% - 25,210
14. Madagascar - 12.7% - 17,331
15. Zimbabwe - 11.7% - 46,071
16. Sierra Leone - 11.4% - 34,617
17. Kazakhstan - 11.0% - 242
18. Ethiopia - 10.5% - 2,423
19. Kenya - 10.4% - 21,204
20. Bosnia and Herzegovina - 10.3% - 86
    

*Membership dramatically increased in Russia due an apparent change in membership reporting from 2023

The following is a list of the top 10 countries with the highest negative membership growth rates (i.e., fastest rate of membership decline) during 2024. The percent growth rate is provided next to the country name, and the number to the right of the percentage growth rate is the year-end 2023 membership total for the country. Four of these countries had at least 1,000 members: the Marshall Islands, Romania, Singapore, and Ukraine.

1. Palau - -23.3% - 421
2. Israel - -5.78% - 310
3. Luxembourg - -3.51% - 522
4. Kuwait - -3.48% - 361
5. Iceland - -2.65% - 404
6. Romania - -2.38% - 3,029
7. Jersey - -1.82% - 270
8. Singapore - -1.74% - 3,227
9. Marshall Islands - -1.51% - 6,660
10. Ukraine - -1.49% - 9,903

Below is a list of the top 10 countries by numerical membership net increase for 2024. Each country is provided with the numerical national increase in membership for the year. Additionally, the percentage of total church membership increase that is accounted for by each country is provided (i.e., a percentage of the world membership increase for 2024 that is within that country). Lists are also available for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. A list of the biennial period of 2020-2021 is also available. 73.4% of the 2024 net increase in Church membership can be attributed to the following 11 nations (I included 11 this year because Russia should not count given a change in membership reporting appears to explain the large increase in membership for the year). 

1. United States - 61,163 - 21.5%
2. Brazil - 30,865 - 10.9%
3. DR Congo - 19,040 - 6.7%
4. Nigeria - 17,687 - 6.2%
5. Mexico - 17,652 - 6.2%
6. Philippines - 15,190 - 5.3%
7. Russia* - 13,031 - 4.6%
   
8. Peru - 10,865 - 3.8%
9. Argentina - 9,642 - 3.4%
10. Mozambique - 6,900 - 2.4%
11. Ghana - 6,582 - 2.3%
    

*Membership dramatically increased in Russia due an apparent change in membership reporting from 2023

Below is a list of the top four countries by numerical membership decrease for 2024. Each country is provided with the numerical national decrease in membership during the year 2024. There were only four countries that experienced a net decrease by 100 or more during 2024. 

1. Japan - -474
2. Ukraine - -150
3. Palau - -128
4. Marshall Islands - -102

Several points to make with the 2024 annual membership growth numbers.

First, growth rates in East Africa and Central Africa have not only been sustained from 2023 but accelerated in some nations during 2024. This is especially impressive, as higher rates of membership growth become more difficult to achieve as membership grows larger. All countries in the Africa Central Area with reported statistics experienced at least 10% annual membership growth in 2024, except for the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo (which experienced an annual membership growth rate of 8.4%). Membership in Rwanda more than doubled during the two-year period from year-end 2022 to year-end 2024. For the first time in over a decade, membership increased by more than 10% in Ethiopia and Uganda. In the DR Congo, membership increased by 16.6%—the highest annual growth rate since 2002, when there were only 13,637 members. The Church also experienced very high rates of membership growth in Mozambique and Malawi. In Mozambique, membership has doubled since year-end 2021, and there are now over 31,000 Latter-day Saints in the country. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Church reported its second-highest annual growth rate for membership since 2004. In southern Africa, the Church in Botswana and South Africa reported the highest membership growth rates in over a decade. In Lesotho, the Church reported its highest annual membership growth rate since 1993, when there were only 300 members. In Angola, Church membership grew by 24.1%—the highest annual growth rate since 2009, when there were fewer than 1,000 members in the country. In West Africa, membership growth rates accelerated in most countries in 2024 compared to 2023, but generally remained below growth rates achieved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second, the Church in Europe experienced some of its most rapid membership growth in decades during 2024 in several countries. In Spain, Church membership increased by 3.85% (just slightly higher than the 3.82% reported for 2023)—the highest reported by the Church since 2007. In Italy, membership grew by 2.62% in 2024—the highest annual growth rate since 2004 (which was also 2.62%). In France, Church membership increased by 1.79%—also the highest annual membership growth rate since 2007. In Germany, Church membership increased by 1.06%—the highest rate of membership growth since 2011. In Denmark, membership increased by 0.83%—the second-highest year for membership growth since 1995. Most other European countries experienced typical membership growth rates consistent with recent years.

Third, the Church in the United States reported nearly the same net increase in membership for 2024 compared to 2023 (61,163 in 2024 versus 64,765 in 2023), with membership increasing by 0.89% for the year. The year 2023 was significant for membership growth in the United States, as it saw the highest net increase in membership (64,765) since 2015 and the highest annual membership growth rate (0.95%) since that same year. Thus, recent membership growth in the United States appears to represent a new trend, rather than a continuation of the steady decline in membership growth that had persisted for nearly a decade.

Fourth, membership growth rates in much of Latin America have returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. In a few instances, annual membership growth rates were even higher than before the pandemic. For example, the Church in Paraguay reported its highest membership growth rate since 2013 (2.27%), while the Church in Uruguay reported its highest membership growth rate since 2012 (1.71%). Church membership in Puerto Rico grew by 1.0% in 2024—the highest seen in a decade.

Fifth, the Church in Canada reported an annual membership growth rate of 1.26% for 2024—slightly higher than in 2023 and the highest rate of annual membership growth since 2012.

15 New Temples Announced

This afternoon, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construction 15 new temples in the following locations:

• Reynosa, Mexico
• Chorrillos, Peru
• Rivera, Uruguay
• Campo Grande, Brazil
• Porto, Portugal
• Uyo, Nigeria
• San Jose del Monte, Philippines
• Nouméa, New Caledonia
• Liverpool, Australia
• Caldwell, Idaho
• Flagstaff, Arizona
• Rapid City, South Dakota
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Spanish Fork, Utah

With today's announcement, there are now 382 dedicated or planned temples worldwide. I will provide an analysis of today's announcement in the coming days.

2024 Statisical Report

This morning, the Church reported its annual statistical report as of December 31st, 2024.

• Membership: 17,509,781 (increase of 254,387 from 2023; a 1.47% annual increase)
• Congregations: 31,676 (increase of 186 from 2023; a 0.59% annual increase)
• Stakes: 3,608 (increase of 43 from 2023; a 1.21% annual increase)
• Districts: 494 (increase of 5 from 2023; a 5.41% annual decrease)
• Missions: 450 (increase of 36 from 2023; a 8.70% annual increase)
• Convert Baptisms: 308,682 (increase of 56,919 from 2023; a 22.6% annual increase)
• Increase of Children on Record: 91,617 (decrease of 1,977 from 2023; a 2.11% annual decrease)
• Full-time Teaching Missionaries: 74,127 (increase of 6,256 from 2023; a 9.22% annual increase)
• Senior Service Missionaries: 31,120 (increase of 3,319 from 2023; an 11.9% annual increase)
  
• Young Service Missionaries: 4,192 (increase of 308 from 2023; a 7.93% annual increase)

Key Takeaways from the 2024 Statistical Report

1. Convert Baptisms Surge to Highest Levels Since 1997
The Church in 2024 baptized more converts than in any year since 1997—an impressive milestone, especially given the sustained emphasis on meaningful pre-baptism preparation. The increase of nearly 57,000 more convert baptisms compared to 2023 occurred without any single world area being identified as the primary driver, suggesting widespread global momentum.

Despite a modest increase of 6,256 full-time proselytizing missionaries, the average number of baptisms per missionary rose from 3.71 in 2023 to 4.16 in 2024—the highest figure since 2012 (4.62 per missionary). For historical perspective, the modern-era peak was 8.03 baptisms per missionary in 1989.

2. Highest Number of Proselytizing Missionaries (Excluding the “Double Cohort” Years)
With 74,127 full-time missionaries, the Church achieved its highest missionary force ever—outside the anomalous surge from the 2013–2014 age-change “double cohort.” The 9.22% increase marks significant success in mobilizing young adults for missionary service.

3. Most New Missions Since 2013
In 2024, 36 new missions were organized—the second-largest annual increase in modern history, trailing only the 58 missions added in 2013. The 8.7% increase in missions closely mirrors the 9.22% increase in missionary numbers, showing strategic infrastructure expansion to support the rising missionary force.

4. Net Increase in Districts for the First Time Since 2008
A notable turnaround occurred in 2024 with a net gain of five districts—the first such increase in 16 years. The Church organized 28 new districts, the most since 2016. This growth likely reflects expanding outreach in developing areas, where branches are forming and new communities are being opened to missionary work.

5. Highest-Ever Number of Member Record Removals
The Church added 308,682 convert baptisms and 91,617 children of record in 2024, totaling 400,299 new members. Yet total membership only rose by 254,387. This implies at least 145,912 records were removed—due to death, resignation, or loss of membership (formerly known as excommunication).

This figure surpasses the previous high in 2018 (140,868) and suggests intensified record updating or a rise in voluntary resignations. Attrition was 0.86% of the 2023 membership base—comparable to the 0.87% attrition rate in 2018. A more detailed country-by-country breakdown, when available, will help determine where this attrition is most concentrated—likely in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, where most members reside.

6. Persistently Low Children of Record Numbers
Children of record remain alarmingly low, continuing a multi-decade trend. The 2024 figure (91,617) is far below the 124,000 recorded in 1982. Adjusted for Church size, that means children of record made up 2.5% of Church membership in 1982 but only 0.53% in 2024—an 80% drop.

This decline reflects both falling birth rates among Latter-day Saints (especially in the U.S.) and the Church's limited success in fostering multi-generational families in newer international areas. In most countries, even where national fertility rates remain high, the Church struggles to retain converts and raise second-generation members.

7. Stakes and Congregations Growing at Half the Rate of Membership
Stakes and congregations increased in 2024, but at about half the rate of total membership growth. This consistent pattern, present for two decades, signals ongoing challenges with member retention and congregation sustainability. While not worsening, the trend continues to show that many new members—particularly converts—are not being integrated into their respective congregations over the long term to warrant the creation of larger numbers of wards and branches.

2024 Statistical Report: Predictions

This afternoon, the Church will publish its annual statistical report for the year 2024 with figures as of December 31st, 2024. My analysis of the 2023 statistical report can be found here. The following is what I anticipate for these growth metrics:

• Membership: 17,600,000
• Converts Baptized: 300,000
• Increase in Children of Record (i.e., children under age 8, most of whom are infants born and blessed during the previous year): 100,000
• Official Congregations (i.e., wards and branches): 31,700
• Stakes: 3,609
• Districts: 492
• Missions: 450
• Missionaries Serving: 77,000

I anticipate that convert baptisms in 2024 will reach a 25-year high, based on reports indicating approximately 300,000 convert baptisms during the year. I also expect the number of children of record to be slightly higher than in 2023—potentially surpassing 100,000 for the first time since 2018.

The number of proselytizing missionaries may have reached as high as 77,000 by the end of the year. However, this figure could be inflated, as it is unclear whether some reports from Church leaders included young service missionaries.

Notably, the number of districts appears to have experienced a slight net increase in 2024. If confirmed, this would mark the first such increase since 2008. The Church organized a near-record number of new districts in 2024, largely driven by expansion in lesser-reached areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ward Radio Appearance This Evening at 8 PM MDT

I will be appearing on a livestream broadcast for Ward Radio in about 30 minutes. Click here to join!