Church Continues to Grow in More than 160 Countries

In 2004, worldwide Church membership reached 12 million, the Church was ranked among the fastest-growing churches in the United States, and Mexico became the first nation outside of the U.S. to top one million members. Brazil is projected to surpass one million members during 2006.

Growth outside of the United States continues to surpass growth within the U.S. More than half of all Church members live outside the United States. Members of the Church are found in more than 160 countries and territories, speaking more than 178 languages.

The accompanying map shows membership distribution around the world.

Estimates based on 2003 year-end data.

Countries with Highest Church Membership

1. United States	5,503,192
2. Mexico*	980,053
3. Brazil	866,988
4. Chile	530,739
5. Philippines	526,178
6. Peru	384,663
7. Argentina	330,349
8. Guatemala	192,207
9. Canada	166,442
10. Ecuador	161,396
Estimates based on 2003 year-end data.
* Mexico surpassed the one million mark after these figures were compiled.

Countries with Highest Percentage of Church Membership*

1. Tonga	46.0	(1 out of 2)
2. Samoa	34.0	(1 out of 3)
3. American Samoa	19.1	(1 out of 5)
4. Kiribati	10.0	(1 out of 10)
5. French Polynesia	7.8	(1 out of 13)
6. Chile	3.4	(1 out of 30)
7. Uruguay	2.4	(1 out of 42)
8. New Zealand	2.3	(1 out of 43)
9. Honduras	1.6	(1 out of 62)
10. Bolivia	1.5	(1 out of 64)
Estimates based on 2003 year-end data.
* Minimum 10,000 members. Four countries have higher percentages but fewer than 10,000 members: Niue (13.0), Marshall Islands (6.8), Cook Islands (6.5), and Micronesia (3.1).

Languages Most Frequently Spoken by Church Members

1. English	5,828,000
2. Spanish	3,681,000
3. Portuguese	907,000
4. Tagalog (Philippines)	165,000
5. Cebuano (Philippines)	126,000
6. Japanese	117,000
7. Ilokano (Philippines)	109,000
8. Samoan	102,000
9. Tongan	76,000
10. Korean	75,000
Estimates based on 2003 year-end data.