Is the Church growing or shrinking?

Overall, it's growing.[2] The Church reported a record number of convert baptisms between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.[3]

But isn't the rate of growth declining?

Yes.[4] The Church's growth rate has been declining for the past couple of decades, from a growth rate of 5%–10% in the late twentieth century down to a stable growth rate of about 1%–2% in the twenty-first century.[5]

In 2024, the annual growth rate was about 1.47%.[6] Growth rate is generally flat in some places[7] and relatively high in others.[8]

Why has the Church's growth rate been declining?

Religious affiliation generally has been declining in the United States[9] and around the world.[10] Nearly all major religious organizations have declined in the U.S.[11]

Isn't most of the Church’s growth from children being born into the Church as opposed to converts?

No. There are more convert baptisms than childbirths.[12][13]

Has the Church ever been the "fastest-growing religion"?

Possibly. At different times in the past, the Church has been considered the fastest growing religion in the United States.[14]

The U.S. Census Bureau does not collect information on religion, so it's difficult to make accurate comparisons with other religions.[15] The Church says it "makes no statistical comparisons with other churches" and "makes no claim to be the fastest-growing Christian denomination."[16]

How many people are leaving the Church? Is there a problem with retention?

The Latter-day Saint retention rate in the U.S. is around 50%, similar to Catholics and Baptists.[17] Retention was much higher in the 1980s, at around 82%, but has declined each decade, as has religion generally.[18][19]

However, out of all religions in the U.S., Latter-day Saints have the highest rate of retention and monthly religious service attendance, at about 42%.[20]

What percentage of Church members are "active"?

According to a 2025 Pew Research study in the U.S., 69% of self-identified Latter-day Saints attend a Church service at least once a week, 7% attend once or twice a month, and 13% attend a few times a year.[21][22]

In 2011, an unofficial Church almanac estimated worldwide membership activity to be around 30%.[23]

Does the Church include those baptized for the dead in their membership numbers?

No. The Church has stated that "the names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church."[24]

Does the Church remove the records of members who are disaffected?

No. In 2005, Elder Merrill Bateman[BIO] stated that the Church does not remove records of members unless they request it themselves.[25] Most former Latter-day Saints do not remove their membership records.[26]

Why is it so hard to remove Church records?

In 2015, to prevent fraudulent requests, the Church added a requirement that resignation requests be notarized.[27]

How many new converts remain active?

Possibly 20%–50%, according to various third-party studies.[28] However, convert retention rates vary widely by geography[29] and by time measured.[30]