How Many Mormons Are There in the World? Global Membership Reaches Over 17 Million

Mormonism, formally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), is one of the fastest-growing religious movements globally, with an estimated membership exceeding 17 million adherents across nearly every country. This exponential expansion reflects both historical outreach efforts and a deeply ingrained community ethos centered on family, service, and spiritual engagement. Understanding the precise number of active Mormons worldwide requires examining demographic data, regional distribution, and reliable census or membership statistics—data that, while subject to methodology differences, consistently underscores the faith’s growing global footprint.

The total number of active Mormon members worldwide hovers around 16.7 to 17.5 million, based on the LDS Church’s own public reports and independent demographic analyses. This figure encompasses baptized members, full participants in temple ordinances, and their families—representing a vibrant and engaged religious community. By comparison, the global Angelus Research Center estimates membership at approximately 14 million, primarily drawing from LDS Church records and affiliated regions.

The variation between estimates stems from differing criteria: some organizations include provisional members or those Bevölkerung with substantial doctrinal alignment, while the LDS Church publishes conservative, internally validated counts.

Spreading across more than 180 countries and territories, Mormonism’s reach is most robust in North America, Latin America, and parts of Africa and Oceania. The United States and Canada collectively host over 4.5 million members—the nation with the largest Latter-day Saint population—driven by strong grassroots church governance and community centers in urban and suburban areas.

Their presence is not merely numerical; local branches organize youth programs, welfare services, and humanitarian initiatives that reinforce both spiritual discipline and civic responsibility.

Latin America remains a key growth region, with countries like Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina seeing membership surge over the past three decades. Brazil alone is home to approximately 3.8 million Mormons, making it the second-largest national church presence. This growth reflects decades of targeted missionary work, translation of scriptures into local languages, and integration into community life.

In Chile, membership has grown steadily due to church-friendly policies and strong pastoral outreach. Similar expansion is evident in sub-Saharan Africa, where nations such as Kenya and Nigeria report rapid increases—driven by indigenous leadership and dynamic evangelism efforts.

Africa now accounts for an estimated 1.2 million Mormon members, a significant rise from just a few thousand in the early 2000s. The church’s investment in local housing, education, and pastoral training has catalyzed organic growth, transforming previously sparse congregations into thriving hubs.

In Kenya, for instance, the headquarters of the LDS Congo Area Mission is based, symbolizing institutional commitment to growth beyond traditional strongholds.

In Asia, membership remains smaller but stable, concentrated in countries with open religious activity such as India, Singapore, and South Korea. In India, Mormon communities serve a diverse population with growing interest in both spiritual teachings and social upliftment programs.

South Korea’s church presence, while modest, reflects disciplined outreach among young adults and professionals. Meanwhile, in Europe and Australia, membership stands at roughly 400,000 and 200,000 respectively, sustained by multicultural congregations and digital engagement strategies that reach isolated believers.

The LDS Church’s statistical transparency—regularly updating public membership figures in annual reports—lends credibility to its estimates. Church leadership defines active members as individuals enrolled in full membership, attending weekly church, baptized, or participating in temple work.

This excludes nominal affiliates or distant relatives, ensuring data reflects committed practitioners. Non-LDS estimates, such as those from Angelus Research Center, align closely, generally placing worldwide membership between 14 and 18 million, supporting robust confidence in the data range.

Demographically, Mormon adherents skew increasingly diverse and global: younger members constitute nearly 40% of the total, and women represent roughly 53%, reflecting changing gender participation trends. Youth engagement—through programs like Relay Guardians and Church-owned schools—bolsters long-term sustainability.

Additionally, Mormons in diaspora communities often maintain strong affiliations despite geographic separation, facilitated by digital platforms, missionary outreach, and international gatherings that reinforce identity.

The global Mormon community exemplifies a faith dynamically adapting to cultural contexts while preserving core doctrines. From the quiet prayer meetings in rural Argentina to the bustling temple districts in Los Angeles, members uphold commitments that extend beyond belief—through service clusters, welfare programs, and disaster response. In every region, the presence of active Mormons contributes to vibrant, self-sustaining religious ecosystems that deepen both individual spiritual lives and collective well-being.

As the LDS Church continues to expand into emerging markets and strengthen local leadership, the worldwide count of faithful members is poised to grow steadily, affirming Mormonism’s defining role in the evolving religious landscape of the 21st century.