Survey year | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 41% | 9% | 4% | 44% | 2% | 8,498 |
2007 | 40% | 8% | 4% | 45% | 2% | 7,279 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Frequency of meditation among adults in the West by religious group
% of adults in the West who meditate…
Religious tradition | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | 55% | 6% | 8% | 29% | 2% | 113 |
Catholic | 43% | 10% | 5% | 40% | 2% | 1,660 |
Evangelical Protestant | 51% | 6% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 1,819 |
Historically Black Protestant | 52% | 4% | 3% | 39% | 1% | 143 |
Jewish | 31% | 8% | 4% | 55% | 2% | 181 |
Mainline Protestant | 36% | 10% | 5% | 46% | 2% | 1,141 |
Mormon | 63% | 8% | 2% | 25% | 2% | 480 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 26% | 12% | 5% | 56% | 1% | 2,388 |
Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never
Switch Display To: religious group among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are ages…
Frequency of meditation | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 17% | 34% | 29% | 20% | 3,511 |
Once or twice a month | 29% | 35% | 23% | 13% | 749 |
Several times a year | 26% | 36% | 23% | 15% | 378 |
Seldom/never | 28% | 36% | 22% | 13% | 3,553 |
Don't know | 7% | 26% | 29% | 38% | 135 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by age group
Generational cohort among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 9% | 12% | 29% | 35% | 13% | 1% | 3,511 |
Once or twice a month | 17% | 19% | 28% | 26% | 9% | < 1% | 749 |
Several times a year | 16% | 16% | 30% | 28% | 10% | < 1% | 378 |
Seldom/never | 19% | 18% | 28% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 3,553 |
Don't know | 4% | 6% | 23% | 38% | 27% | 1% | 135 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by generational group
Gender composition among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 44% | 56% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 44% | 56% | 759 |
Several times a year | 56% | 44% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 54% | 46% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 62% | 38% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who identify as…
Frequency of meditation | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 53% | 5% | 6% | 30% | 6% | 3,516 |
Once or twice a month | 54% | 4% | 12% | 26% | 5% | 753 |
Several times a year | 57% | 2% | 14% | 23% | 4% | 380 |
Seldom/never | 59% | 4% | 11% | 22% | 5% | 3,569 |
Don't know | 50% | 5% | 11% | 30% | 3% | 138 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 26% | 12% | 62% | 3,546 |
Once or twice a month | 26% | 13% | 62% | 749 |
Several times a year | 26% | 13% | 61% | 383 |
Seldom/never | 19% | 16% | 66% | 3,570 |
Don't know | 40% | 7% | 52% | 139 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by immigrant status
Income distribution among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who have a household income of…
Frequency of meditation | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 39% | 21% | 23% | 17% | 3,160 |
Once or twice a month | 37% | 21% | 22% | 21% | 689 |
Several times a year | 29% | 20% | 23% | 28% | 335 |
Seldom/never | 29% | 20% | 28% | 23% | 3,187 |
Don't know | 44% | 17% | 20% | 20% | 100 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by household income
Educational distribution among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who have completed…
Frequency of meditation | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 38% | 34% | 18% | 11% | 3,571 |
Once or twice a month | 37% | 35% | 17% | 11% | 753 |
Several times a year | 33% | 28% | 25% | 13% | 382 |
Seldom/never | 38% | 35% | 17% | 10% | 3,599 |
Don't know | 46% | 30% | 15% | 9% | 144 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by educational group
Marital status among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 49% | 8% | 15% | 7% | 20% | 3,563 |
Once or twice a month | 42% | 11% | 13% | 5% | 29% | 759 |
Several times a year | 46% | 12% | 9% | 3% | 30% | 384 |
Seldom/never | 47% | 9% | 11% | 4% | 29% | 3,609 |
Don't know | 52% | 3% | 11% | 16% | 17% | 141 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 28% | 72% | 3,574 |
Once or twice a month | 26% | 74% | 758 |
Several times a year | 29% | 71% | 384 |
Seldom/never | 31% | 69% | 3,599 |
Don't know | 19% | 81% | 145 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say they…
Frequency of meditation | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 70% | 18% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 47% | 30% | 10% | 1% | 10% | 3% | 759 |
Several times a year | 43% | 29% | 11% | < 1% | 15% | 2% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 46% | 23% | 9% | 1% | 18% | 3% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 66% | 17% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 7% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by belief in God
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say religion is…
Frequency of meditation | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 66% | 18% | 7% | 8% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 30% | 17% | 13% | 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 33% | 34% | 19% | 14% | 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 32% | 30% | 18% | 20% | < 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 72% | 16% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who attend religious services…
Frequency of meditation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 48% | 27% | 24% | < 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 23% | 42% | 35% | < 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 18% | 48% | 34% | < 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 19% | 35% | 45% | < 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 56% | 23% | 16% | 5% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who pray…
Frequency of meditation | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 72% | 12% | 3% | 12% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 39% | 21% | 11% | 29% | < 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 35% | 22% | 9% | 34% | 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 35% | 14% | 8% | 43% | 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 64% | 15% | 6% | 9% | 7% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who attend prayer group…
Frequency of meditation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 38% | 11% | 7% | 44% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 13% | 15% | 12% | 60% | < 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 7% | 7% | 17% | 69% | < 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 12% | 6% | 6% | 76% | < 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 40% | 8% | 5% | 37% | 10% | 149 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Frequency of meditation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 79% | 11% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 50% | 25% | 13% | 13% | < 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 39% | 21% | 26% | 13% | 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 41% | 16% | 13% | 28% | 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 61% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 21% | 149 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Frequency of meditation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 63% | 14% | 8% | 14% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 49% | 19% | 17% | 14% | 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 39% | 17% | 24% | 19% | < 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 36% | 17% | 16% | 30% | 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 47% | 7% | 11% | 17% | 18% | 149 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Frequency of meditation | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 41% | 12% | 35% | 8% | 3% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 25% | 17% | 45% | 12% | 2% | 759 |
Several times a year | 20% | 14% | 53% | 12% | 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 21% | 12% | 52% | 13% | 2% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 44% | 5% | 31% | 9% | 12% | 149 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say…
Frequency of meditation | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 38% | 58% | 2% | 2% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 24% | 73% | 1% | 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 27% | 70% | 1% | 2% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 28% | 69% | 1% | 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 44% | 49% | 2% | 5% | 149 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who read scripture…
Frequency of meditation | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 52% | 9% | 7% | 32% | 1% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 21% | 17% | 13% | 49% | < 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 10% | 10% | 28% | 51% | < 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 17% | 8% | 6% | 68% | < 1% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 46% | 9% | 6% | 21% | 19% | 149 |
Interpreting scripture among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say the holy scripture is…
Frequency of meditation | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 35% | 27% | 3% | 29% | 7% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 20% | 23% | 2% | 46% | 9% | 759 |
Several times a year | 15% | 30% | 1% | 47% | 7% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 18% | 25% | 2% | 47% | 9% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 44% | 16% | 7% | 19% | 14% | 149 |
Belief in Heaven among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who …in heaven
Frequency of meditation | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 71% | 21% | 8% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 62% | 31% | 7% | 759 |
Several times a year | 63% | 30% | 7% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 61% | 31% | 8% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 64% | 16% | 19% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who …in hell
Frequency of meditation | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 55% | 37% | 8% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 47% | 8% | 759 |
Several times a year | 40% | 46% | 14% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 47% | 44% | 8% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 48% | 28% | 24% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who identify as…
Frequency of meditation | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 35% | 20% | 44% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 31% | 21% | 48% | 759 |
Several times a year | 27% | 18% | 55% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 34% | 20% | 46% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 42% | 26% | 32% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by political party
Political ideology among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who are…
Frequency of meditation | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 37% | 32% | 25% | 6% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 29% | 36% | 30% | 5% | 759 |
Several times a year | 24% | 38% | 35% | 3% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 30% | 35% | 28% | 6% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 41% | 15% | 28% | 15% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by political ideology
Views about size of government among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who would rather have…
Frequency of meditation | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 49% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 47% | 46% | 4% | 3% | 759 |
Several times a year | 47% | 45% | 5% | 4% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 51% | 43% | 3% | 3% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 49% | 40% | 4% | 6% | 149 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say government aid to the poor…
Frequency of meditation | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 41% | 52% | 4% | 3% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 37% | 60% | 2% | 1% | 759 |
Several times a year | 37% | 54% | 7% | 1% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 43% | 52% | 3% | 2% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 52% | 40% | 2% | 6% | 149 |
Views about abortion among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say abortion should be…
Frequency of meditation | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 48% | 47% | 5% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 62% | 34% | 3% | 759 |
Several times a year | 70% | 28% | 2% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 63% | 33% | 4% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 40% | 46% | 14% | 149 |
Switch Display To: frequency of meditation among adults in the West by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say homosexuality…
Frequency of meditation | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 58% | 33% | 4% | 4% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 73% | 19% | 5% | 3% | 759 |
Several times a year | 76% | 18% | 4% | 3% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 73% | 20% | 4% | 3% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 42% | 46% | 4% | 8% | 149 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who …same-sex marriage
Frequency of meditation | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 51% | 42% | 8% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 68% | 26% | 5% | 759 |
Several times a year | 66% | 27% | 7% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 66% | 28% | 6% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 27% | 56% | 16% | 149 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say…
Frequency of meditation | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 35% | 57% | 3% | 5% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 34% | 61% | 2% | 3% | 759 |
Several times a year | 31% | 64% | 3% | 2% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 37% | 59% | 2% | 2% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 50% | 34% | 4% | 12% | 149 |
Views about human evolution among adults in the West by frequency of meditation
% of adults in the West who say humans…
Frequency of meditation | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At least once a week | 28% | 25% | 5% | 37% | 5% | 3,587 |
Once or twice a month | 45% | 24% | 6% | 24% | 2% | 759 |
Several times a year | 48% | 20% | 5% | 23% | 3% | 385 |
Seldom/never | 46% | 22% | 4% | 26% | 3% | 3,618 |
Don't know | 17% | 13% | 12% | 44% | 14% | 149 |