Church of Scotland affiliation has declined 1% each year for the last 16 years.
Scottish Social Attitudes 2015 Survey data suggests that 52% of the population identify as having ‘No Religion’, up from 40% in 1999. All respondents were asked: “Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion?” Church of Scotland affiliation has declined from 35% to 20% in the past 16 years. Levels of identification with other religions remain relatively unchanged.
Respondents with a religion, or who were brought up in a religion were asked: “Apart from such special occasions as weddings, funerals and baptisms and so on, how often nowadays do you attend services or meetings connected with your religion?” 19% attended church once a week or more in 1999 – in 2015 just 14% – a 26% decline. In 1999 49% never or practically never attended church, by 2015, 66% – a 35% increase.
