Global Number of Catholic Priests Rises to 407,421, Fides Reports

October 20, 2026: The number of Catholic priests worldwide rose to 407,421 in 2024, an increase of 425 from the previous year, according to statistics published by Vatican news agency Fides ahead of the 100th World Mission Sunday.

The figures, drawn from the Statistical Yearbook of the Church and current as of 31 December 2024, mark a return to growth after five years without an increase in the global number of priests.

Africa recorded the largest increase, with 1,676 additional priests, followed by Asia with 1,065. The Americas added 199 priests, reversing the previous year's decline. In contrast, Europe lost 2,483 priests, while Oceania recorded a decrease of 32.

The overall increase came from diocesan priests, whose numbers rose by 496 to 279,238. Meanwhile, the number of priests belonging to religious orders fell by 71 to 128,183.

Despite the rise in priest numbers, the number of Catholics per priest increased by 38 to 3,491. The average number of inhabitants per priest also rose to 16,104.

Fides reported that the global Catholic population reached 1.422 billion as of 30 June 2024, an increase of 16.69 million from the previous year. Catholics accounted for 17.8 per cent of the world's population.

Africa recorded the largest increase in the Catholic population, adding 7.58 million people, followed by the Americas with nearly seven million. Asia added 968,000 Catholics, Europe 911,000 and Oceania 239,000.

While the number of priests increased, the number of major seminarians declined to 103,604 worldwide, a decrease of 2,891 from the previous year.

Africa was the only continent to record growth in major seminarians, adding 786. Asia registered a decline of 2,733, Europe 701, the Americas 227 and Oceania 16.

Let us keep all priests and seminarians in our prayers, asking the Lord to strengthen their vocation, sustain them in their ministry and guide more young people to respond generously to His call to serve the Church.

Courtesy: Catholic News Agency