The number of adult confirmations in the Church of Sweden has increased by 54 percent over five years, according to official data. In 2025, 499 people aged 19 and older were confirmed nationwide, the church reported. An active membership entry means a person aged 12 or older who has chosen to join the church themselves; baptized small children are not counted, making these figures a key indicator of voluntary engagement.
In Växjö diocese, the increase of 1,129 active membership entries in 2025 is the largest increase of the entire 21st century, the diocese said. According to major media reports, confirmands who were baptized accounted for a large portion of the membership entries in Växjö, totaling 185. In the same diocese, 60 people were baptized as adults in 2025, which is a doubling compared to 2024, major media sources indicate.
An adult confirmation proceeds essentially like a 'regular' confirmation, involving studying confirmation material and conversing with a priest, but the ceremony in church and presentation can be adapted more individually, according to church officials. The specific factors driving the increase in adult confirmations and membership entries in the Church of Sweden remain unclear, as do the demographic characteristics of those joining or being confirmed as adults. Bishop Fredrik Modéus described the trend as encouraging, noting that members help sustain community activities.
According to Modéus, members contribute to the Church of Sweden being able to continue gathering people for community and worship, provide support to the vulnerable, care for church buildings, offer children's and choir activities, and much more. How the net change in membership, accounting for exits, compares to previous years is unknown, given the high number of exits typically recorded. Trends in adult confirmations and membership entries likely vary across different dioceses beyond the data provided, but detailed comparisons are not available.
The impact of these changes on the Church of Sweden's activities, finances, and community engagement also remains to be fully assessed, as the church adapts to shifting membership patterns.