The 2024 figures showed that adult baptisms rose to 8,700 in 2024 compared to 7,800 the previous year. There was also a rise in the number of young people, aged between 11 and 17 years old who were baptised, from 2,100 in 2023 to 2,400 last year. Confirmations also rose by 5.3 per cent from 10,700 to 11,300.
However, the figures also showed the overall number of baptisms – which includes infant baptisms – fell, as the post Covid lockdown ‘catch up’ slowed.
While the overall figures show that in-person attendance has not fully reached pre-pandemic levels, the figures suggest it is moving closer to the projected pre-pandemic trend and in some cases has risen above the levels that might have been expected had there been no pandemic.
Attendance at @churchofengland churches grew for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics have confirmed. The number of adults being baptised & the number of confirmations have risen. Full details: https://t.co/X7XXVcAnfS
— Portsmouth Diocese (@CofEPortsmouth) October 28, 2025