OTTAWA, Dec 12, 2000 (LSN.ca) – Statistics have consistently shown that regular church attendance is strongly associated with a belief in the sanctity of life. Therefore current Canadian statistics which show a substantial decline in overall religious attendance is troubling to life and family organization leaders.
Statistics Canada today released the 1998 statistics for religious services attendance. The figures note that while attendance rates over the 10-year period 1988 to 1998 declined for adults in all age groups, the drop was most notable among those who were young adults in 1988. In 1988, 34% of youths aged 15 to 24 went to a religious service at least once a month; by 1998, when this group was aged 25 to 34, their attendance had dropped to 24%.
The study also noted that married couples with children and senior citizens were the most likely Canadians to be regular worshippers. Not surprisingly, attendance at services was lowest among adults living in common-law relationships. Individuals who were divorced or separated also had lower attendance rates than did married adults and childless couples attended less than those with children. Those born in Canada were less likely to attend religious services than were immigrants. The survey also found that people who live in rural areas and small towns attend services more frequently than do city-dwellers.
See the Statistics Canada release at: https://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/001212/d001212b.htm