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.