New data suggest a revival of religious interest among young men. A Gallup survey cited by CBS News found 42% of men ages 18 to 29 said religion was “very important” to them in 2024 and 2025, up from 28% in the previous two years. By contrast, 29% of young women said religion was “very important,” down from 32%.
CBS News turned to Roland Fryer, a Harvard economics professor and contributor, about an opinion piece he wrote arguing that religions tend to succeed when they require more from adherents. Fryer says higher barriers to entry increase the value of membership because they generate stronger mutual assurance: people who invest more in a religious community are likelier to reciprocate support when others are in need.
Fryer frames religious commitment as a form of mutual insurance — the stricter the demands, the more dependable the network becomes. He points to a historical puzzle in which lowering barriers in the Catholic Church coincided with a drop in overall participation, a pattern he interprets as consistent with his theory that costly commitment signals reliability.
Looking beyond religious life, Fryer referenced research by Harvard colleagues that examined belief and economic growth across roughly 60 countries. Their findings suggest that belief in an afterlife, such as heaven, correlates with economic growth. They also found that mere attendance — “sitting in the pew” — is a weaker predictor of growth than the behaviors and attitudes associated with sincere belief, like honesty, integrity and worker commitment.
When asked why younger men might be returning to religion, Fryer pointed to online life and isolation. With younger adults spending large amounts of time online and reporting high levels of loneliness, many are seeking the community and commitments that religious groups can provide.
Fryer also commented on a recent public clash between President Trump and Pope Leo, calling it notable because public disputes between a sitting U.S. president and a sitting pope are rare, and observing that controversies involving the president tend to draw broad attention.
Fryer’s conclusion: religions that effectively screen for commitment can create tighter, more valuable communities that provide mutual support and shape behaviors with wider social and economic consequences.