The 2022 State of the Bible report asked Americans a variety of questions about their Bible use and their thoughts on its role in society.
The report also highlights changes in the percentage of Bible users in the U.S. over time. The American Bible Society defines Bible users as “those who use the Bible at least 3-4 times each year on their own, outside of a church setting.”
After reaching a high of 53% in 2014, the share of Bible users among the U.S. adult population in 2022 was just 39%, the lowest in more than a decade.
The State of the Bible report described the 11% decrease as an “unprecedented drop.” The figure suggests that the number of Bible users in the U.S. dropped from 128 million in 2021 to 103 million in 2022.
The State of the Bible report also demonstrates what the American Bible Society describes as a “major decrease in Scripture Engagement,” which is defined as “consistent interaction with the Bible that shapes people’s choices and transforms their relationships with God, self, and others.” The estimated number of Scripture-engaged Americans dropped from 64 million in 2021 to 49 million this year.