Revival among Gen Z, 18-25 years old, 2025

Joel News report, October 16, 2025

UK: Generation Z sparks Bible boom

UK Bible sales soar by 87% as young people rediscover faith in uncertain times.

In a striking cultural shift, Bible sales in the UK nearly doubled over five years, rising from £2.69 million in 2019 to £5.02 million in 2024. While general non-fiction sales fell, the hunger for God’s Word grew – driven especially by Generation Z.

Surveys reveal that 62% of 18- to 24-year-olds describe themselves as spiritual, compared to only 35% of those over 65. Far fewer Gen Z identify as atheists (13%) than millennials (20%) or Gen X (25%).

Publishers and ministries note that young people are picking up the Bible to find hope, identity, and guidance amid mental health struggles and post-pandemic uncertainty. “The Bible has something important to say to young people,” says Mark Woods of Bible Society.

Modern translations like the Good News Bible: Youth Edition – featuring notes, infographics, and space for reflection – have nearly doubled in sales since 2021. The NIV and Good News Bible now outsell the traditional King James Version.

Source: Bible Society

USA: Generation Z’s quiet turn to Jesus

“I want a god.” This striking confession from a Gen Z young adult sums up a surprising trend in the West today. After decades of growing secularism, the tide is turning – especially among the young.

New Barna data reveals two-thirds of US adults now say their commitment to Jesus remains important, marking a 12-point rise since 2021. Bible sales are also soaring – up 22% last year – driven largely by Gen Z’s curiosity about faith.

Why the shift? After years marked by loneliness, anxiety and an empty digital life, many are searching for meaning that transcends their screens. “The phone-based life produces spiritual degradation,” writes atheist Jonathan Haidt. His solution? Engage in spiritual practices.

This spiritual longing is drawing many to Scripture and to Jesus himself. The popular series The Chosen plays a key role, with a third of viewers identifying as non-believers or agnostics. By portraying Jesus and his disciples as relatable humans with divine purpose, the show invites seekers into God’s story.

John Plake from the American Bible Society puts it plainly: “Nobody becomes a Christian because they lose the argument. It’s because they’re invited on the journey.”

Source: Barna Group