A majority of Americans still place a major emphasis on their faith, but the results of a new NBC News/Washington Journal poll showed that an increasing number of Americans say religion does not play an important role in their lives.
The poll showed that 21 percent of Americans say religion is "not that important" to their lives, the highest percentage since the poll began asking participants about their focus on faith in 1997.
NBC News noted that the less religious Americans are more likely to be men, have an income over $75,000, to live in the Northeast or West and to be under the age of 35.
Meanwhile, 41 percent said religion plays a "very important" role in their lives, and another 13 percent said religion is the most important aspect of their lives.
The poll also found that 60 percent of Catholics said Pope Francis has renewed and strengthened their religious faith and commitment to the church.
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May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.