Ukrainian Youth Shows Higher Religious Commitment Than Their European Peers

Despite the trend toward secularization in most European countries, young people in Ukraine continue to show a strong interest in religion and spirituality. This is confirmed by several sociological surveys conducted in 2024–2025, as reported by the Ukrainian online publication The Page.

According to the German study “Youth in Germany – 2025,” nearly 60% of Germans aged 14 to 29 do not believe in God — an increase of 9% compared to 2022. However, even among skeptics, about one-third acknowledge that faith helps them cope with difficult times.

In contrast, the numbers in Ukraine tell a different story. A Gradus Research poll (2025) shows that only 18% of Ukrainians aged 18–24 identify as atheists or agnostics. The rest consider themselves believers, although not all associate with traditional Orthodoxy. There is growing interest in Catholicism (4.3%) and alternative spiritual paths (7.3%), including Eastern teachings, neo-paganism, and new religious movements.

Research by the Razumkov Centre (2024) confirms this overall trend: one in four young Ukrainians regularly attends religious services. In comparison, only 21% did so in 2020.

Previously, we also reported that ahead of Easter, Gradus Research conducted a survey showing how religious sentiments in Ukraine are shifting. According to the findings, 29% of respondents identify with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which remains the largest denomination, although this share has dropped by 3% since 2023.