In a surprising cultural shift, the United Kingdom witnessed an unprecedented boom in Bible sales during 2025, reaching the highest levels ever recorded. Industry data reveals a staggering 134% increase in sales since 2019, with the total market value hitting £6.3 million. This remarkable revival is being fuelled not by traditional churchgoers, but primarily by younger generations, many with no prior Christian background, who are on a quest for spiritual meaning.
Youth and Social Media Fuel Spiritual Quest
Retailers and publishers report a significant demographic change among their customers. Aude Pasquier, the retail sales director at the Church House bookshop near Westminster Abbey, noted a clear trend of newcomers. “We’ve seen an increase in people coming to the Bible from scratch,” she observed, highlighting that many young readers are approaching the text with fresh eyes, seeking to understand themselves and the world around them.
Steve Barnet, who runs St Andrews bookshop in Buckinghamshire, corroborated this, pointing to the influence of online personalities. He specifically mentioned figures like Jordan Peterson, whose commentary has directed young men, in particular, towards religious texts and even church attendance. “Almost out of the blue something’s changed where people are turning to faith,” Barnet stated.
Sam Richardson, CEO of the Christian publisher SPCK Group which compiled the data using Nielsen BookScan, emphasized the role of digital platforms. He explained that social media has made personal spiritual journeys visible and accessible, offering a pathway to faith outside traditional church settings. This online exposure has been pivotal in demystifying Christianity for a new audience.
Broader Trends: Church Growth and Genre Popularity
This surge in Bible engagement is part of a wider pattern. A separate report from the Bible Society in April 2025 indicated that church attendance in England and Wales has grown by 50% since 2018. The most dramatic rise was among 18- to 24-year-olds, whose monthly attendance jumped from 4% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. Interestingly, the report suggested men are leading this renewed interest.
The publishing industry's data reflects this shift, with religion becoming one of the fastest-growing nonfiction genres. Sales in this category grew by 11% in 2025, nearly doubling the 6% growth seen in 2024. The English Standard Version published by Crossway emerged as the bestselling Bible translation of the year.
Global Context and Distinguishing the Trend
This phenomenon is not confined to Britain. The United States also saw Bible sales reach a 21-year high in 2025. In the UK, however, the spiritual revival has unfolded alongside the emergence of Christian nationalist rhetoric in political discourse. Church of England leaders have been quick to condemn the co-opting of Christian symbols for exclusionary purposes.
Sam Richardson of SPCK was keen to distinguish the two trends. He argued that the increase in Bible sales and church attendance began years before Christian nationalism gained significant attention. “It has probably been overplayed as a factor,” Richardson said, noting the sustained growth since 2019. He described Christianity as a “counter-cultural” force for youth today, contrasting with past decades where atheism was seen as rebellious. Richardson linked the search for meaning to global uncertainties, including the aftermath of the pandemic, wars, the rise of AI, and a widespread mental health crisis.
The data presents a clear picture: amidst a rapidly changing world, a generation is turning to ancient texts, driven by a genuine search for spirituality, community, and answers, facilitated by the very modern tools of social media and online influence.
