92% of Americans say they believe in God

In answer to the question “Do you believe in God?” 92% of Americans answered in the affirmative, according to a new Gallup poll.

The first time Gallup asked this question was in 1944: 96% said yes. The last time was in 1967, when 98% said they believed in God. In 1976 Gallup changed the wording of the question to “Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?” 94% said yes back then.

Although the figure has remained high, it could change in years to come.

Among 18-29 year olds, just 84% said they believed in God, compared to 94% for all older age groups. Gallup writes: “Those under 30 are significantly less likely than older Americans to say they believe in God. It remains to be seen whether these young Americans will move toward a belief in God as they age, or instead stick with their current beliefs.” Statisticians in the UK have concluded that, in the UK, the pattern has been the latter rather than the former.