For the first time, there are now as many non-religious people in Jersey as religious people, with the number of non-religious people increasing from 39% in 2015 to 47% in 2018. Young people are the fastest growing cohort to say they have no religion, according to new data from the latest Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2018.
Channel Islands Humanists has welcomed the survey and says the Government of Jersey must take heed of the findings and ensure that Government policy reflects the island’s changing demographics.
A breakdown of the 2018 data obtained by Channel Islands Humanists shows 47% of people identified as having no religion. This compares to 39% in 2015 who said they had no religion. Amongst young people, a huge 66% aged 16-34 said they had no religion – up from 52% of young people who said they were non-religious in 2015. For those aged 35-44, 53% said they were not religious.
The 2018 figures also showed 47% said they have a religion – 23% were Catholic, 18% Church of England, 5% ‘Other Christian’, and 2% were non-Christian religious. Six percent of total respondents answered ‘not sure’ to the religion question. The breakdown of figures was obtained after the recent release of the British Social Attitudes survey so that Channel Islands Humanists could compare data.
States of Jersey Assembly Deputy Louise Doublet, who is also on the committee of Channel Islands Humanists, commented: ‘These latest statistics show an increasing number of islanders are non-religious and that is most evident amongst the younger cohort. The number of young people who are non-religious constitutes a significant majority, which reflects a compelling need to ensure Government policies are consistently inclusive of all. While we have seen much progress in Jersey including the passing of the opt-out organ donation law and legal recognition of humanist marriages, we still have a long way to go in ensuring settings such as our schools and other areas of public life are equally inclusive of all, including the non-religious.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Press Manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3078.
Read about Jersey’s opt-out organ donation law.
Read more about humanist marriages in Jersey.
Channel Islands Humanists is a part of Humanists UK, the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 85,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.