More people baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ last year than any other year
In 2025, more people were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than in any other year in its history, and most of that growth is happening outside the United States.
More people were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2025 than any other year in its history. And where that growth is happening might surprise you. The church is still headquartered in the United States, but the majority of its growth is no longer happening there. In fact, nearly 60% of all new members in 2025 came from just 10 countries. And five countries are leading that growth.
Brazil, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Let's take a closer look. Brazil led the entire world, adding over 47,000 new members in just one year. But interestingly, the number of congregations actually went down slightly. That tells us that in Brazil, the focus right now isn't just on growth. It's strengthening existing congregations and building long-term leadership.
Mexico followed closely behind with over 38,000 new members. But unlike Brazil, their congregation stayed almost exactly the same. Now look at Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria are seeing some of the fastest growth anywhere in the world. Not just in membership, but in brand new congregations being created. I heard recently that in Africa, the church is growing so fast, it's like building a new chapel every week.
Now, that's more of an anecdotal way to describe it, but it captures just how rapid that growth really is. And then there's the Philippines. Over 22,000 new members in a single year and a significant increase in congregations. The Philippines continues to be one of the strongest and most dynamic areas for the church anywhere in the world. So, what does all this mean? Growth in the church isn't just about numbers.
In some places, it looks like strengthening and consolidation. In others, it looks like rapid expansion, but everywhere it reflects something deeper. Faith growing in communities, leaders being developed, and the gospel taking root across the world. The church may be headquartered in the United States, but its future, it's being written in Sao Paulo, Logos, Kinshasa, and Manila.
