The Bible Society has published a comprehensive analysis of how culture, religion, politics, and economics shape engagement with the Bible around the world.
The Patmos Island Typology report, developed in partnership with the United Bible Society and based on Gallup data science, examines 85 countries and territories across seven “mission groups” to uncover current opportunities and barriers to Bible ministry.
The report is based on the findings of a companion study, the Patmos World Biblical Attitudes Survey, published in April of this year. The Patmos World Biblical Attitudes Survey is the largest of its kind, surveying more than 91,000 people.
The survey found that a clear majority of people around the world believe in God or a higher power, with five out of seven global clusters saying religion remains important in their daily lives.
It also revealed a surprisingly open-minded attitude toward the Bible, with one in 10 non-Christians expressing a desire to learn more about the Bible.
Together, the survey and the new typology report move the conversation beyond mere access to the Bible and focus on the specific situations that help or hinder people from actually reading, trusting, and applying the Bible.
The report identifies seven shared environmental “clusters” across geographies and languages. Each has distinct strategic implications for church networks, mission organizations, and Bible agencies.
Cluster 1 consists of countries where Christianity exists as a small but resilient minority in Muslim-majority societies characterized by economic constraints and inadequate infrastructure. Countries covered include Chad, Mali, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.
Religious identity is deeply rooted, but access to the Bible and literacy levels remain low. However, many people are looking for a purpose in life.
On average, only 3% of people in these situations own a Bible, 61% consider Christianity to be a Western religion, and 94% say their faith is important to their daily lives.
The report highlights the need for oral and audio-based Bible initiatives, youth-centered initiatives, and strong community partnerships to foster trust and connection.
In what the report defines as Cluster 2, Christianity remains the majority faith. But its influence and trust are steadily declining, especially among younger generations. Religion is given “low importance” in everyday life, and secular minorities are increasing in these countries.
This cluster primarily covers Central and Eastern European countries, such as, but not limited to, Albania, Hungary, and Russia; Portugal, Greece, and Malta are also included in this group.
Only 59% of people in this group think their faith plays a meaningful role in their daily lives, significantly lower than the global average of 73%.
Additionally, half of the people in this cluster own a Bible, but only 9% use it weekly. Only 12% of people attend church weekly.
However, respect for the Bible remains strong, with 57% expressing interest in exploring the Bible further.
The report calls for an approach that rebuilds relevance and trust through relationships rather than formal religious structures.
Cluster 3 is a more economically developed situation with a Muslim majority (90%) and a strong Christian minority, but facing political and social pressures. This cluster includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Israel.
About half of people in this cluster believe that Christianity is a Western religion, and 85% say religion is important to their daily lives, but only 2% own a Bible.
Among Christians, 40% use the Bible every week and 20% attend church every week.
Although curiosity about the faith persists, open evangelism is often restricted. The report recommends a “modest” relationship-based digital engagement strategy, alongside efforts to strengthen the “confidence and resilience” of local churches.
Cluster 4 consists of most of Latin America, including Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, but also includes the Philippines due to common characteristics of the study findings. In these countries, Christianity continues to shape the culture, but is gradually giving way to secularism.
Nevertheless, enthusiasm for the Bible remains surprisingly high. 74% own a Bible, 37% use it weekly, and 34% attend church weekly.
The report suggests an engagement with the Bible that speaks directly to everyday realities such as “economic inequality, youth culture, and questions of identity,” helping to keep the Bible relevant to modern life.
Cluster 5 consists of highly developed secular societies where many people consider themselves to be non-religious. These include many parts of Western Europe, North America, and Australia, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Although Bible ownership is widespread, it is “often seen as outdated or irrelevant,” trust in religious groups has waned, and it is less likely to be used regularly.
Across these countries, 57% own a Bible, 24% read it weekly, and 19% attend church weekly.
While the numbers are below average in the UK (45%, 16% and 11%), they are significantly higher in the US (71%, 35% and 28%).
The report points to creative methods such as “storytelling and art” and digital engagement to awaken curiosity about organized religion “particularly among young people who are spiritually open but institutionally wary.”
Cluster 6 traverses much of Asia, including Cambodia, India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. Religious diversity is high in these regions, with Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and secular people forming societies. Christians are a minority and often have a very low understanding of the Bible.
Only 7% of this group own a Bible, 34% have heard of the Bible, and 74% know nothing about it.
The report calls for a “long-term strategy focused on education, storytelling and digital innovation,” while also “supporting minority Christian communities to become confident and situated witnesses.”
Finally, in the regions the report categorizes as Cluster 7, which spans sub-Saharan Africa, Christianity is vibrant and deeply embedded in both public and private life. This includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and more.
On average, 62% of people in this region own a Bible, 51% read it weekly, and 53% attend church weekly.
Interest in the Bible is particularly strong among young people, but social and economic inequalities are an obstacle in these regions.
The report emphasizes that the focus here needs to shift from access to depth.
“Bible agencies operating in this cluster should focus on deepening engagement, not just expanding access,” the report states.
“Discipleship, leadership development, and youth-centered efforts to address social challenges are especially important if we are to see the Bible transform every sector of society.
“We also need to address the perception of Christianity as a Western religion to ensure the acceptance of the Bible within local cultural identities.”
Importantly, the report warns against a one-size-fits-all model.
“If you think of the parable of the sower, the seeds spread widely across different types of soil,” the report said. “The more you can be aware of different situations, the more you will know what needs to be done to optimally till the soil so the seeds can grow and thrive.”
“Effectively engaging with the Bible requires us to understand its specific context, which is why we are so excited about this new report,” said Rich Powney, senior research manager at the Bible Society.
“We are further exploring how the insights gained from the Patmos Island cluster can inform approaches to Bible engagement that lead to real lives being transformed by the Bible.”
The report concludes:
“In every situation, we see a common need: for the Bible to be informed in the way it speaks to people’s hearts, minds, and lives. Our hope is that this typology will become a tool not only for understanding, but for action.”
“May we inspire Bible societies, church networks, and mission agencies to innovate, collaborate, and pray with renewed vision. Together, we can move one step closer to a world where everyone encounters the Bible in every situation, searches for its meaning, and experiences its life-changing power.”
First published on Christian Today
