New Stakes Created in the DR Congo (3), Mozambique (2), Zimbabwe (2), Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Florida, Honduras, Idaho, Madagascar, México, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Zambia; New Districts Created in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo; Stakes Discontinued in Utah (5) and the United Kingdom; Districts Discontinued in Argentina and Zambia

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Three new stakes have been created in the DR Congo.

The Lubumbashi DR Congo Bel-Air Stake was organized on March 8th from the Lubumbashi DR Congo Stake (organized in 1997) and the Ruashi DR Congo Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bel-Air, Bongonga, Kilobelobe, Kiwele, Neflier, and Nyashi 2nd Wards. There are now seven stakes in Lubumbashi. Rapid growth has occurred in the city in the past couple decades, with the number of stakes increasing from one in 1997 to two in 2009, three in 2013, four in 2017, five in 2024, six in 2025, and seven in 2026.

The Kinshasa DR Congo Mont Amba Stake was organized on May 9th from a division of the Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaba Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Kisenso, Lemba 1st, Livulu, Mont Amba, and Plateau Wards. There are now 19 stakes in Kinshasa - more than any other metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass.

The Kisangani DR Congo Stake was organized from the Kisangani DR Congo District (organized in 2023) on May 9th. Information on which of the nine branches in the district have become wards remains unavailable. The new stake is the Church's first stake in the northern DR Congo. The first branch in Kisangani was organized in 2015. 

There are now 49 stakes and 10 districts in the DR Congo. 

Mozambique

Two new stakes and one new district were created in Mozambique. It is important to note that some new wards and branches being created in Mozambique are not being readily updated on the Church's meetinghouse locator website, including branches becoming wards. As a result, some of the information contained below may not include some newly organized units or current information.

Beira Mozambique Chamba Stake was organized on March 15th from the Beira Mozambique Inhamízua Stake (organized in 2024) and the Beira Mozambique Manga Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following four wards and one branch: the Campo do Povo, Chamba, Chingussura, and Zona Verde Wards and the Matadouro Branch. There are now six stakes in Beira. Rapid growth has occurred in the city where the first stake was organized in 2015. The number of stakes in Beira increased from one in 2015 to two in 2017, three in 2023, four in 2024, five in 2025, and six in 2026.

The Nampula Mozambique Mutauanha Stake was organized on March 15th from a division of the Nampula Mozambique Stake (organized in 2021). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Muatala, Murrapaniua, Mutauanha, Namaita, and Substação Wards and the Luaha Branch. The Church's third mission in Mozambique, the Mozambique Nampula Mission, is scheduled to open this summer from a division of the Mozambique Beira Mission.

The Quelimane Mozambique District was organized on April 12th from mission branches in the Mozambique Beira Mission. The new district includes the following three branches: the Coalane, Quelimane, and the Samugue Branch. The Church in Quelimane has experienced numerous setbacks since the first branch was organized in 2005, including the apostasy of leaders and members in the late 2000s and early 2010s. It is unclear whether any of these former members have rejoined the Church or if recent growth in the city (the two other branches were created in 2023 and in 2026) has been due to new converts joining the Church.

There are now 12 stakes and four districts in Mozambique. 

Zimbabwe

Two new stakes were created in Zimbabwe.

The Mkoba Zimbabwe Stake was organized on March 22nd from a division of the Gweru Zimbabwe Stake (organized in 2011). The new stake includes the following four wards: the Mkoba 1st, Mkoba 2nd, Mkoba 3rd, and Mkoba 5th Wards. There are now two stakes in the city of Gweru.

The Harare Zimbabwe Kuwadzana Stake was organized on May 3rd from a division of the Harare Zimbabwe Stake (organized in 1999) and the Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake (organized in 2008). The new stake includes the following four wards and four branches: the Kuwadzana 1st, Kuwadzana 2nd, Kuwadzana 3rd, and Mufakose 2nd Wards and the Kuwadzana 4th, Norton, Warren Park, and Whitecliff Branches. There are now seven stakes in Harare. The number of stakes in the city increased from one in 1999 to two in 2008, three in 2014, four in 2016, five in 2024, six in 2025, and seven in 2026.

There are now 15 stakes and two districts in Zimbabwe. 

Argentina

One new stake was created in Argentina. The Tartagal Argentina Stake was organized on April 19th from the Tartagal Argentina District (organized in 1996) and the Oran Argentina District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Orán, Pizarro, Salvador Mazza, Tartagal, and Villa Saavedra Wards, and the Aguaray, Colonia Santa Rosa, Embarcación, Mosconi, and Pichanal Branches. The Oran Argentina District was also discontinued when the new stake was organized.

There are now 81 stakes and 23 districts in Argentina. 

Benin

A new stake was created in Benin. The Cotonou Benin Akpakpa Stake was organized on March 8th from a division of the Cococodji Benin Stake (organized in 2021) and the Cotonou Benin Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Akpakpa, Avotrou, Finagnon, Jericho 1st, Jericho 2nd, and Porto Novo Wards and the Dowa and Gbegame Branches. There are now three stakes in Cotonou.

There are now three stakes and one district in Benin. 

Brazil

A new stake was created and a district was discontinued in Brazil. Bauru Brazil Jardim Santana Stake was created on March 8th from a division of the Bauru Brazil Stake (organized in 1992) and the Botucatu Brazil District becoming a stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Bela Vista, Jardim Santana, Jaú, Marechal Rondon, and Pederneiras Wards and the São Manuel Branch. There are now two stakes in Bauru.

There are now 290 stakes and 31 districts in Brazil. 

Florida

A new stake was created in Florida. The St Augustine Florida Stake was created on March 29th from a division of the Jacksonville Florida South Stake (organized in 2009). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Mill Creek, Palatka, Silverleaf, St Augustine 1st, and St Augustine Shores Wards and the Green Cove Springs and St Augustine 2nd (Deaf) Branches.

There are now 34 stakes in Florida. 

Honduras

A new stake was created in Honduras. The Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras Stake was organized on April 19th from the Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras District (organized in 1995). The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Dolores, La Entrada, El Dorado, Miraflores, and Santa Rosa Wards, and the Copan Ruinas, Florida, Gracias, Nueva Ocotepeque, and San Marcos de Ocotepeque Branches. 

There are now 32 stakes and four districts in Honduras. 

Idaho

A new stake was created in Idaho. The Lewiston Idaho South Stake was organized on March 15th from the Lewiston Idaho Stake (organized in 1958). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: Grangeville 1st, Grangeville 2nd, Kamiah, Orchards 1st, and Orchards 2nd Wards and the Lewis-Clark YSA Branch.

There are now 149 stakes in Idaho. 

Madagascar

A new stake was created in Madagascar. The Antananarivo Madagascar Ampitatafika Stake was organized on March 1st from a division of the Antananarivo Madagascar Ampefiloha Stake (organized in 2023), the Antananarivo Madagascar Ivandry Stake (organized in 2011), and the Antananarivo Madagascar Manakambahiny Stake (organized in 2000). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Ambohidrapeto, Ambohimanarina, Ampitatafika, Itaosy, and Tanjombato Wards. There are now four stakes in Antananarivo.

There are now six stakes and one district in Madagascar. 

México

A new stake was created in Mexico. The León México Aeropuerto Stake was organized on March 8th from a division of the León México Stake (organized in 1996) and the Guanajuato México District (which became the new stake). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Guanajuato, Las Torres, Olímpica, Parque del Sur, and Silao Wards. There are now two stakes in León.

There are now 232 stakes and 41 districts in México. 

North Carolina

A new stake was created in North Carolina. The Mebane North Carolina Stake was organized on April 26th from the Durham North Carolina Stake (organized in 1987) and the Greensboro North Carolina Stake (organized in 1961). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Caswell, Elon, Hillsborough, Lake Mackintosh, and Mebane Wards and the Roxboro and Burlington (Spanish) Branches. 

There are now 22 stakes in North Carolina. 

Tennessee

A new stake was created in Tennessee. The Columbia Tennessee Stake was organized on March 22nd from the Franklin Tennessee Stake (organized in 1979) and the Murfreesboro Tennessee Stake (organized in 2012). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Columbia, Lawrenceburg, Linden, Spring Hill 1st, and Spring Hill 3rd Wards and the Lewisburg Branch. 

There are now 15 stakes in Tennessee. 

Utah

A new stake was created and four stakes were discontinued in Utah.

The Saratoga Springs Utah Mountain View Stake was organized on March 22nd from a division of the Saratoga Springs Utah North Stake (organized in 2004). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Harvest Hills 4th, Harvest Hills 5th, Harvest Hills 6th, Harvest Hills 7th, Wildflower 1st, and Wildflower 2nd Wards. 

Additionally, five stakes were recently discontinued in Utah, bringing the total number of discontinued stakes in Utah in 2026 to nine. Stakes discontinued included the Price Utah North Stake (organized in 1945), Price Utah YSA (organized in 1996), Sandy Utah Alta View Stake (organized in 1984), Taylorsville Utah North Stake (organized in 1973), and Wellington Utah Stake (organized in 1980). Like other recently discontinued stakes, stakes discontinued in the Salt Lake area have been in areas with a steady decline in active membership. The three stakes discontinued in the Price area have appeared to be attributed to essentially stagnant growth or decline for many years coupled with probable efforts to free up members in leadership positions to staff the new temple once it is completed.

There are now 639 stakes and seven districts in Utah. 

Zambia

A new stake was created in Zambia. The Copperbelt Zambia Stake was organized on April 26th from the Kitwe Zambia District (organized in 2005) and the Ndola Zambia District (organized in 2015 and discontinued when the new stake was organized). Information on which of the 11 branches in the two combined districts became wards remains unavailable.

There are now two stakes in Zambia and no districts. 

Kenya

A new district was created in Kenya. The Bomet Kenya District was organized on March 8th. The new district was organized from three branches in the Kenya Nairobi West Mission, including the Bomet, Kapkesosio, and Kyongong Branches. The first branch in Bomet was organized in 2023.

There are now four stakes and 11 districts in Kenya.

Nigeria

A new district was created in Nigeria. The Mangu Nigeria District was organized on March 8th from a division of the Jos Nigeria Stake (organized in 2024). The new district includes the following seven branches: the Chapkwai, Dadin Kowa, Gerkawa, Gindiri, Mabudi, Mangu, and Pankshin Branches. These branches have been primarily organized in villages and small towns in rural areas southeast of Jos. Rapid growth has occurred here, where all branches in the new district have been organized since 2024.

There are now 81 stakes and 14 districts in Nigeria. 

Republic of the Congo

A new district was created in the Republic of the Congo. The Nkayi Republic of the Congo District was organized on April 19th from five mission branches in cities between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. The new district includes the following branches: the Bouansa, Dolisie, Madingou, Mindouli, and Nkayi Branches. The first branch in this area of the country was organized in 2019 in Dolisie.

There are now five stakes and one district in the Republic of the Congo. 

United Kingdom

Two stakes were discontinued in the United Kingdom. The Poole England Stake (organized in 1982) and the Ashton England Stake (organized in 1982) were recently discontinued and retained congregations were reassigned to neighboring stakes. The discontinuation of these two stakes has continued a recent trend of consolidating stakes in England in the past few years, as there were three stakes discontinued in 2023 in the London area and one stake discontinued in 2022 in Lichfield. It is probable that additional stakes may be discontinued in the United Kingdom in the coming months and years, as the Church in the United Kingdom has historically had small numbers of active members per ward or branch and few convert baptisms.

There are now 40 stakes in the United Kingdom.

**Please note that there are some recently organized stakes and districts that I have not yet reported in this post due to the large volume of recent stake and district creations. These will be reported in a future blog post**

New Temple Announced for Otavalo, Ecuador

This evening, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to construct a new temple in Otavalo, Ecuador. The new temple will be the Church's third temple in Ecuador following temples in Guayaquil (dedicated in 1999) and Quito (dedicated in 2022). With 279,046 members as of year-end 2025, Ecuador ranks as the country with the 10th most Latter-day Saints worldwide and previously had more members per temple than any other country with only two temples. There are currently 45 stakes and five districts in Ecuador. As of year-end 2025, there were 338 official congregations and seven missions.

Otavalo has had a longstanding reputation for relatively high member activity rates, mature local leadership, and an unusually high percentage of Latter-day Saints in the general population (estimated at 10% in the early 2010s). The Otavalo people have been uniquely receptive to the Latter-day Saint missionary efforts since the earliest days of the Church in Ecuador. In fact, the first branch of the Church in Ecuador was organized in Otavalo in the 1960s. More historical information on the Church in Otavalo can be found here. The new temple will likely serve five stakes and one district. There are three stakes in Otavalo and one nearby stake organized earlier this year in Ibarra. One stake and one district that will likely be included in the temple district are in southern Colombia. 

There are now 385 temples planned, under construction, or dedicated. There have now been two temples announced in 2026, with the first temple announcement for Marysville, Washington.

Comprehensive Historical Database of Church Growth Statistics and April 2026 Newsletter

Click here to access our April 2026 newsletter for cumorah.com. We will again begin issuing monthly newsletters going forward. Archived newsletters dating back to 2012 are also available on the site here.

The most significant announcement from The Cumorah Foundation this month is the completion of a comprehensive historical database of country-by-country Church statistics spanning more than a century. The database includes annual membership totals dating back to 1920 (when available) as well as annual statistics for congregations (including ward and branch breakdowns), stakes, districts, missions, and temples (announced and dedicated) for every country or territory for which data have been published by the Church. Historical data for wards, branches, stakes, districts, missions, and temples are available from 1987–2025.

Data were compiled from the retired Deseret News Church Almanac series and the Church’s official Newsroom site where annual country-by-country statistics have been published. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive publicly available compilation of historical Church statistics ever assembled.

This resource provides valuable data for researchers, historians, journalists, members, and others interested in analyzing long-term trends in Church growth, missionary expansion, organizational development, congregational consolidation, and geographic outreach throughout the world. Users can identify historical milestones, compare regional growth patterns, and examine changes in Church development over time at both global and national levels.

The database is available for viewing in Google Sheets and may also be downloaded here. 

UPDATED: List of the Countries with the Most Members without a Stake - April 2026 Edition

Below is an updated list of the 19 countries/territories with the most Latter-day Saints (at least 1,500) without a stake. This list highlights countries where the Church has established a meaningful presence but has not yet reached the organizational maturity required to form a stake. According to the Church Handbook, the creation of a stake requires that several minimum qualifications be met. These include:

• At least 2,000 total members (active and less active) within the proposed stake boundaries
• At least 150 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions
• At least 500 participating adults
• At least 100 participating youth (recommended but not required)
• A minimum of five wards

These criteria underscore that stake organization depends not only on total membership, but more importantly on activity rates, leadership depth, and institutional maturity. Consequently, some countries with relatively large nominal membership totals may take longer to organize stakes if these core requirements are not yet met, whereas others with smaller but more active and concentrated membership may reach stake status sooner.

Membership totals by country are as of year-end 2025, whereas congregational and district totals are current. Estimated membership for mainland China and Pakistan is provided as official statistics are unavailable. The number of branches in mainland China is not provided due to the sensitive nature of the Church in that country. Previous lists of the countries with the most members without a stake can be found here.

1. China - 13,000 members? - 12 districts
2. Malaysia - 11,769 members - 24 branches - 5 districts
3. Guyana - 7,400 members - 12 branches - 2 districts
4. Pakistan - 6,750 members? - 19 branches - 4 districts
   
5. Belize - 5,741 members - 12 branches - 2 districts
6. Rwanda - 3,625 members - 10 branches - 1 district  
7. Armenia - 3,579 members - 6 branches - 1 district
8. Solomon Islands - 3,232 members - 11 branches - 1 district 
9. Romania - 3,127 members - 15 branches - 1 district
10. Ethiopia - 2,626 members - 10 branches - 2 districts
11. Eswatini - 2,598 members - 6 branches - 1 district
12. Bulgaria - 2,424 members - 7 branches - 1 district
13. Poland - 2,315 members - 11 branches - 1 district
14. Lesotho - 2,278 members - 8 branches - 1 district 
15. Burundi - 2,070 members - 12 branches - 1 district
16. Suriname - 1,991 members - 6 branches - 1 district 
17. Cook Islands - 1,890 members - 5 branches - 1 district
18. Sri Lanka - 1,732 members - 4 branches - 1 district 
19. Macau - 1,595 members - 2 branches - 1 district 

Cameroon was the only country removed from this list since April 2025, following the organization of its first stake in June 2025.

As noted in the 2025 list, prospects for near-term stake creation appear most favorable in mainland China, Malaysia, Guyana, Belize, Pakistan, Eswatini, Rwanda, Burundi, and Suriname, as each has at least one district approaching minimum stake qualifications. Rwanda appears most likely among the countries on this list to have its first stake created in the near future, given its rapid growth, relatively strong member activity rates, and the concentration of nearly all Latter-day Saints in the country within the capital, Kigali. The Solomon Islands and Lesotho also appear increasingly likely to have their first stakes organized within the next 1–2 years. Notably, several of the most likely candidates for near-term stake creation have relatively concentrated membership within 1-2 districts, suggesting that organizational efficiency and leadership development may be more decisive factors than total membership alone. In contrast, low activity rates, insufficient numbers of branches within individual districts, slow or stagnant growth, and limited numbers of full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders will likely continue to delay stake organization in other countries for several more years.

Mormon Land Interview - April 2026

Click here to access the Mormon Land interview I completed with the Salt Lake Tribune providing analysis of the 2025 statistical report.

UPDATED: The 10 Countries with the Most Members without a Temple Announced, Under Construction, or in Operation - April 2026

I have updated the list of the countries with the most members without a temple (planned or dedicated) using year-end 2025 membership totals. Temples that service stakes, districts, and mission branches in each country are identified. Statistics for the number of stakes, districts, and congregations are current. Previous lists are also available for April 2025, April 2024, May 2023, April 2022, March 2022, November 2020, April 2020, April 2019, October 2018, April 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, mid-2011, late 2008, and late 2007. Countries in Italics do not have a stake. Tanzania has since ascended to the list to replace Belize and is the country on the list with the most congregations without a temple. Benin is the country on the list with the most recent Church establishment (first branch in 2005). Countries that may ascend to this list in the coming months and years include (in order of probability) Botswana, Rwanda, Cameroon, Armenia, Trinidad and Tobago, Albania, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Ethiopia.

1. Malaysia

• 11,769 members
• 0 stakes, 5 districts
• 24 congregations (24 branches)
• Bangkok Thailand Temple (Singapore Republic of Singapore Temple announced)

2.  Togo

• 8,349 members
• 3 stakes
• 32 congregations (19 wards, 13 branches)
• Ghana Accra Temple

3.  Benin

• 8,286 members
• 2 stakes, 1 district
• 35 congregations (22 wards, 13 branches)
• Accra Ghana Temple (Lagos Nigeria Temple announced)

4. Malawi

• 7,857 members
• 2 stakes, 1 district
• 25 congregations (10 wards, 15 branches)
• Harare Zimbabwe Temple

5.  Jamaica

• 7,856 members
• 1 stake, 1 district
• 18 congregations (6 wards, 12 branches)
• Panama City Panama Temple

6.  Zambia

• 7,823 members
• 1 stake, 2 districts
• 20 congregations (6 wards, 14 branches)
• Johannesburg South Africa Temple (Harare Zimbabwe Temple under construction)
  

7.  Guyana

• 7,400 members
• 0 stakes, 2 districts
• 12 congregations (12 branches)
• Manaus Brazil Temple

8. Marshall Islands

• 6,927 members
• 2 stakes
• 13 congregations (12 wards, 1 branch)
• Suva Fiji Temple (Tarawa Kiribati Temple announced)
  

 9. Tanzania

• 6,259 members
• 1 stake, 4 districts
• 45 congregations (4 wards, 41 branches)
• Nairobi Kenya Temple

10.  Federated States of Micronesia

• 6,241 members
• 1 stake, 1 district
• 22 congregations (5 wards, 17 branches)
• Yigo Guam Temple 

Temple Announced for Marysville, Washington

This evening, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build a temple in Marysville, Washington in a devotional with the Marysville Washington Stake. The announcement was shared by Hugo E. Martinez of the United States West Area Presidency. The new temple will likely service approximately eight stakes between Seattle, Washington, and the Canadian border. The new temple is the Church's seventh temple to be built in Washington State following temples in Seattle (dedicated in 1980), Spokane (dedicated in 1999), Columbia River (Richland; dedicated in 2000), Moses Lake (2023), Tacoma (announced in 2022); and Vancouver (announced in 2023; under construction). I had included a potential temple in this general area on my temple prediction map, although I identified Arlington as a more likely candidate. Stakes that are likely to be assigned to the new temple in Marysville are currently part of the Seattle Washington Temple district, which has 31 stakes. This ranks as the 13th-largest temple district in the United States (tied with the Portland Oregon Temple and the Provo City Center Temple). The Church in Washington State has experienced stagnant growth or slight decline in recent years. There were 278,576 members, 473 congregations (425 wards, 48 branches), and 62 stakes as of year-end 2025. In contrast, there were 289,479 members, 544 congregations (476 wards, 68 branches), and 62 stakes as of year-end 2019. This represents a net decline of over 10,000 members and more than 70 congregations, while the number of stakes has remained unchanged. More information on Church statistics for Washington State can be found here. This announcement appears to be part of a broader pattern in which temple construction is increasingly driven by accessibility considerations rather than membership or congregational growth, particularly in developed regions with mature Church infrastructure. This reflects a broader trend in North America and Europe where temple growth continues even in areas with stagnant or declining membership, suggesting a strategic emphasis on member experience and temple access rather than expansion of the Church’s footprint.

With this announcement, there are now 384 temples that are planned or dedicated worldwide. The temple most recently announced prior to today's announcement was the Portland Maine Temple, which was announced in December of 2025.

Congregational Growth by Country in 2025

Below is a list of the countries where the Church reported a net increase of four or more units for the year 2025. The annual percentage increase for the number of wards and branches for each country is also provided:

1. Democratic Republic of the Congo +85 (24.6% increase)
2. United States +63 (0.43% increase)
3. Philippines +46 (3.47% increase)
4. Nigeria +40 (4.76% increase)
5. Kenya +26 (34.2% increase)
6. Sierra Leone +24 (25.5% increase) 
7. Zimbabwe +21 (20.6% increase) 
8. Ghana +14 (3.62% increase)
9. Peru +12 (1.51% increase) 
10. Spain +12 (8.70% increase) 
11. Tanzania +11 (32.4% increase) 
12. Argentina +10 (1.37% increase) 
13. Mozambique +10 (12.5% increase) 
14. Uganda +8 (14.8% increase)
15. Cote d'Ivoire +7 (2.62% increase)
16. Botswana +6 (35.3% increase) 
17. Republic of the Congo +6 (16.2% increase) 
18. Haiti +6 (12.0% increase) 
19. Liberia +6 (7.50% increase) 
20. Madagascar +6 (13.0% increase) 
21. Bolivia +5 (1.75% increase) 
22. Angola +4 (13.8% increase) 
23. Australia +4 (1.35% increase)
    
24. Ecuador +4 (1.20% increase) 
25. Guatemala +4 (0.92% increase) 
    
26. Solomon Islands +4 (66.7% increase)

The net increase in the number of wards and branches in these 26 countries totals 444; a larger number than the net increase in the number of wards and branches for the entire Church for 2025 (370). This indicates that a relatively small number of high-growth countries not only accounted for all global congregational growth in 2025, but also offset widespread stagnation or contraction elsewhere. Three countries experienced a net decrease of four or more units during 2025. Altogether, the net decrease in congregations in these four nations totaled 98. 

1. Brazil -88 (4.20% decrease)
2. Russia -5 (8.93% decrease) 
3. United Kingdom -5 (1.65% decrease)

Previous lists for annual congregational growth by country are available for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Several key observations with the 2025 congregational numbers by country.

First, the number of countries that have had a net increase of at least four congregations continues to climb from previous years and set what appears to be a new all-time record. There were 26 countries where there was a net increase of four or more congregations in 2025, up from 23 in 2024, 16 in 2023, and 12 in 2022. The average year in the past quarter century has had 15-16 countries with a net increase of four or more congregations. Thus, more countries are reporting stronger congregational growth than ever before in the 21st century. However, it is also important to note that there were approximately 160 countries where growth was essentially flat with the number of congregations in the Church (i.e., a net change of three or fewer congregations for the year).

Second, there is greater geographical diversification with countries reporting net increases in the number of congregations than what has been seen in historical trends, although most new congregations were organized in Africa. Nearly three-fifths of the countries where there was a net increase of four or more congregations in 2025 were in Africa, and Latin American countries comprised nearly another fifth of these nations. 

Third, the rates of congregational growth in Africa stand out from all other countries on this list considering the rapid growth of new wards and branches being created relative to the total number of congregations in these countries. Several African nations reported annual increases exceeding 20–35%, including Kenya (+34.2%), Tanzania (+32.4%), Botswana (+35.3%), Sierra Leone (+25.5%), Zimbabwe (+20.6%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (+24.6%), which alone added 85 new congregations. These rates of increase are several times higher than those observed in more established regions, where growth typically ranges from approximately 0–3% annually. Such sustained double-digit expansion indicates that many African countries remain in an early and accelerated phase of Church development, characterized by rapid unit multiplication, expansion into new cities, and the creation of new districts and stakes. Collectively, African nations accounted for the majority of countries on this list and a substantial share of the total net increase in congregations, underscoring that Africa has become the primary driver of global congregational growth.

Fourth, the Church in the United States reversed a previous three-year trend of net losses in the number of congregations, as there was a net increase of 63 congregations. The Church reported a decline of 15 congregations in 2024, 21 congregations in 2023, and 62 congregations in 2022. Historically, the Church has generally posted net increases of more than 100 congregations in the United States annually. With a net loss of a couple hundred members in 2025 for the Church in the United States, the Church reported higher rates of congregational growth than membership growth, reflecting continued stability in the average number of members per congregation (which was 473) and suggesting a period of structural stabilization following several years of unit consolidation outpacing unit creations. The average congregation in the United States has remained remarkably stable for the past 40 years, oscillating from 450 to 475. 

Fifth, the Church in Brazil continues to have widespread congregation consolidations that have far outpaced new unit creations. As I noted with the 2024 numbers, contraction mirrors past restructuring periods—most notably in 2000 (-116 units) and 2001 (-74 units)—when the Church consolidated congregations with low activity levels. Current and past efforts have appeared aimed at strengthening existing units and optimizing administrative efficiency rather than reflecting a broader membership decline. Moreover, unlike the early 2000s, restructuring efforts in the mid-2020s have not resulted in the discontinuation of stakes or cessation of creating new branches in previously unreached cities. Additionally, unlike earlier restructuring periods, current consolidation in Brazil is occurring alongside unprecedented global expansion elsewhere, particularly in Africa. Finally, it appears that widespread efforts in Brazil to consolidate congregations with few active members are reaching an end, as these efforts have lasted for multiple consecutive years.

Sixth, Spain was the only country in Europe to make the list of countries with a net increase of at least four congregations and actually tied with Peru for the country with the ninth largest net increase (12). Europe has been noticeably absent from this list of countries where there are substantial net increases in congregations due to stagnant growth or slight decline in nearly all nations. Spain has made a substantial turnaround with creating new branches in many cities where no branches previously operated, as well as the creation of a couple new wards in major cities like Barcelona.  

Seventh, the Church in the Philippines reported its highest net increase in congregations (46) since 2001 when there was a net increase of 71 congregations. The number of congregations in the Philippines increased by 3.47% in 2025 - a higher rate than total Church membership (2.56%), suggesting good rates of convert retention and success with member reactivation. Congregational growth rates in the Philippines have steadily increased over the past decade (0.58% in 2017, 0.74% in 2018, 0.98% in 2019, 0.56% in 2020, 0.80% in 2021, 1.27% in 2022, 1.89% in 2023, and 2.16% in 2024). 

Eighth, there are several countries in Latin America reporting more meaningful increases in the total number of congregations than what has been seen in many years. However, membership growth rates continue to outpace congregational growth rates, suggesting ongoing problems with convert retention and member activity. For example, membership grew by 3.66% in Ecuador, 3.05% in Peru, 2.98% in Argentina, and 2.95% in Bolivia in 2025, yet the total number of congregations increased by only 1.20% in Ecuador, 1.51% in Peru, 1.37% in Argentina, and 1.75% in Bolivia for the year.

Country-by-Country Membership Statistics Released for 2025

The Church has released year-end 2025 membership and congregation totals for most nations with a reported Church presence. These statistics can be accessed on Church's official United Kingdom website at https://news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics.

Countries with the highest annual membership growth rates for 2025 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, 2023, and 2024. 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 2025. The number at the end of the each line is year-end membership for 2025. Countries in bold experienced an annual membership increase of greater than 200.

1. Solomon Islands - 98.7% - 3,232
2. Montenegro - 91.2% - 65
3. Georgia - 59.1% - 498 
4. Rwanda - 45.6% - 3,625
5. Israel - 36.1% - 422
6. Palau - 35.9% - 572
7. Malawi - 32.3% - 7,857
8. Central African Republic - 27.1% - 357
9. Tanzania - 24.6% - 6,259
10. Mozambique - 24.2% - 39,282
11. Sint Maarten - 23.9% - 358
12. Niue - 23.8% - 400
13. Malta - 21.7% - 320
14. Sierra Leone - 20.7% - 41,775
15. Lesotho - 20.5% - 2,278
16. Angola - 19.9% - 8,779
17. St. Kitts and Nevis - 19.7% - 292
18. DR Congo - 19.2% - 159,771
19. Madagascar - 17.7% - 20,395
20. Benin - 17.2% - 8,286
21. Ireland - 16.9% - 4,923
22. Kenya - 15.8% - 24,547
23. Turkey - 15.8% - 808
24. Reunion - 15.1% - 989
25. Namibia - 15.0% - 1,492
26. Puerto Rico - 14.9% - 26,947
27. Burundi - 14.6% - 2,070
28. Jamaica - 14.3% - 7,856
29. Zimbabwe - 13.8% - 52,430
30. Republic of the Congo - 13.1% - 15,482
31. Botswana - 12.9% - 5,465
32. Papua New Guinea - 12.9% - 46,583
33. Serbia - 12.8% - 422
34. Croatia - 12.7% - 739
35. Nauru - 11.5% - 146
36. United States Virgin Islands - 11.2% - 704
37. Liberia - 11.0% - 25,767
38. Eswatini (Swaziland) - 10.7% - 2,598
39. Zambia - 10.6% - 7,823
40. United Arab Emirates - 10.6% - 2,002
41. Cyprus - 10.6% - 701
42. Cameroon - 10.4% - 3,673
43. Macau - 10.4% - 1,595
44. Iceland - 10.2% - 445 

The following is a list of the 12 countries/territories where there was a decline in Church membership for 2025. 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 2025 membership total for the country. Eight of these countries had at least 1,000 members: Albania, Armenia, Barbados, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

1. Bahrain - -16.3% - 231
2. Barbados - -10.2% - 1,082 
3. Isle of Man - -3.06% - 285
4. Guernsey - -1.64 - 60
5. Armenia - -1.27% - 3,579
6. Cook Islands - -1.15% - 1,890
7. Trinidad and Tobago - -1.12% - 3,458
8. Netherlands - -0.99% - 9,027
9. Albania - -0.96% - 3,285
10. Indonesia - -0.61% - 7,655
11. Jersey - -0.37% - 269
12. United States - 0.00% - 6,929,770

Below is a list of the top 10 countries by numerical membership net increase for 2025. 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 2025 that is within that country). Lists are also available for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. A list for the biennial period of 2020-2021 is also available. 59.1% of the 2025 net increase in Church membership can be attributed to the following 10 nations. 

1. Brazil - 47,924 - 12.7%
2. Mexico - 38,229 - 10.1%
3. DR Congo - 25,704 - 6.8%
4. Nigeria - 23,702 - 6.3%
5. Philippines - 22,621 - 6.0%
6. Peru - 19,791 - 5.2%
7. Argentina - 14,659 - 3.9%
8. Chile - 11,149 - 3.0%
9. Ecuador - 9,846 - 2.6%
10. Ghana - 9,508 - 2.5%

Below is a list of the top four countries by numerical membership decrease for 2025. Each country is provided with the numerical national decrease in membership during the year 2025. There were only two countries that experienced a net decrease by 100 or more during 2025. 

1. United States - -186
2. Barbados - -123

Membership growth numbers for 2025 are the most historic ever reported by the Church for the following reasons.

First, the Church has never had so many countries with annual membership growth rates of at least 10%. There were at least 44 countries/territories where Church membership increased by 10% or more in 2025. In contrast, most years in the past 20 years have had only 10-20 countries that achieve this level of growth. The previous record appeared to be set in 2014 when there were 27 countries with 10% membership growth or higher for the year. This represents a dramatic departure from historical norms, as the number of countries achieving double-digit growth has more than doubled compared to typical annual levels over the past two decades. Importantly, this expansion is occurring simultaneously across both small and large membership bases, indicating that growth is not limited to emerging areas but is increasingly sustained in maturing ones

Second, the Church is no longer reporting membership figures in its official membership for "sensitive countries" where there is no published Church membership figures (i.e., Pakistan, Cuba, mainland China, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam to name a few). The difference between all of the countries with reported membership and the worldwide totals for 2025 was 974. In contrast, this number was 28,216 for 2024. The Church has previously not reported membership figures for some countries in world totals, such as Russia. This dramatic reduction strongly suggests a change in reporting methodology or classification of previously unreported membership, although the Church has not publicly clarified the reason.

Third, the Church in the United States posted its first ever year of negative membership growth notwithstanding reports of a 17% annual increase in convert baptisms for the year. There was a net decline of 186 members for 2025, resulting in essentially 0.00% growth for the year. The previous all-time low for membership growth in the United States in modern times was set during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was only a net increase of 41,987 (0.62 over the two-year period from year-end 2019 to year-end 2021). Decreasing birth rates among active Latter-day Saints, removal of unbaptized children of record after age 8, and name removals due to death, loss of membership, or resignation appear to have driven this drop in membership. It is also possible that efforts to update the accuracy of membership records may account for this decrease. For example, the unusually large increase of nearly 3,500 members in Puerto Rico is most plausibly explained by membership record transfers from the United States, as Puerto Rico has historically experienced minimal growth. These data suggest that factors such as retention, inactivity, and membership record maintenance may now exert a greater influence on net membership totals in the United States than the number of convert baptisms or children of record added each year.

Fourth, there are many countries that have a relatively large membership base that are posting extremely high levels of membership growth. Several countries with already substantial membership bases are now experiencing unusually rapid growth, indicating acceleration rather than simple expansion. The Church in the DR Congo reported an annual growth rate of 19.2% even though there are over 100,000 Latter-day Saints in the country. Membership growth actually accelerated in the DR Congo in 2025 compared to 2024 (16.6%). Membership in the Solomon Islands essentially doubled in 2025 from 1,627 to 3,232. Nearly one-fifth of membership in Mozambique at the end of 2025 had been baptized within the previous 12 months notwithstanding there being nearly 40,000 members. Papua New Guinea reported a 12.9% annual membership growth rate in 2025 which was the highest reported since the late 1990s even though there were 41,268 members at the beginning of the year. Whereas most years have only one to three countries with such rapid growth, 2025 stands out for having multiple examples across several world regions.

Fifth, there has never been such a wide geographical diversification of high rates of membership growth. All world regions had at least one country where membership increased by five percent in 2025. High growth is no longer regionally concentrated but is now distributed across all global regions, indicating increasingly globalized growth dynamics

Sixth, the Church has achieved moderate to high rates of membership growth in nations where stagnant or slow growth has occurred for years, if not decades, such as the Republic of Georgia, Jamaica, Croatia, the United States Virgin Islands, Macau, Lithuania, Belgium, Germany, and Mongolia. 

Taken together, these trends suggest a continued shift in the global center of Church growth toward Africa, Latin America, and select parts of the Pacific, while growth in historically established regions—particularly the United States and parts of Europe—remains uneven, with some countries experiencing renewed momentum alongside others that continue to show modest or stagnant growth. Membership growth in 2025 appears to have accelerated trends observed in 2024, which also stood out as a significant year. The greatest test to determine whether the Church has truly entered a new age of growth and development will be whether these elevated growth rates are sustained and whether they are accompanied by commensurate increases in metrics that more closely reflect active participation, such as the number of congregations and stakes.

2025 Membership and Congregational Data Released by Region

The Church has published regional figures for membership and the total number of congregations by world region for 2025. The tables below summarize these data. Table 1 presents membership and congregation totals for 2024 and 2025 by world region. Table 2 provides percentage growth rates for membership and congregations in 2025, as well as the average number of members per congregation and the change in this metric from 2024 to 2025.

 Table 1

Region	2024 Mem	2025 Mem	2024 Cong	2025 Cong
North America	9,733,719	9,807,340	18,426	18,501
South America	4,392,463	4,517,233	5,599	5,547
Europe	513,534	528,704	1,290	1,280
Asia	1,316,373	1,343,071	2,145	2,192
Oceania	607,302	629,697	1,290	1,306
Africa	933,511	1,046,270	2,927	3,220

 

Table 2

Region	Mem %	Cong %	M/C 2024	M/C 2025	Change
North America	+0.76%	+0.41%	528	530	+2
South America	+2.84%	-0.93%	785	814	+29
Europe	+2.95%	-0.78%	398	413	+15
Asia	+2.03%	+2.19%	614	613	-1
Oceania	+3.69%	+1.24%	471	482	+11
Africa	+12.08%	+10.01%	319	325	+6

The Church has not yet published country-by-country data for 2025. However, data for individual U.S. states and the District of Columbia have been updated and are available through the state and district profiles on this page. The Church recently transitioned its facts and statistics page from the Newsroom website to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and some data have not yet been fully integrated into the new platform. I will provide analysis of these numbers once the country-specific data are released.