State Lutheran heritage
The Lutheran church was the official religion for centuries and still shapes customs and important dates.
Region
Nordic Countries
7
Countries
102
Peoples
41
Unreached
38.2%
Evangelicals (weighted)
Peoples overview
7Countries
102people groups
41unreached
38.2%evangelicals (weighted average)
- 37 Unreached 36.3%
- 4 Minimally reached 3.9%
- 18 Superficially reached 17.6%
- 34 Partially reached 33.3%
- 9 Significantly reached 8.8%
Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
189Language
145With complete Bible
44Without complete Bible
Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
What it is
Overview
The Nordic countries, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, together with the Faroe Islands and the territory of Svalbard and Jan Mayen, form one of the world’s best-known regions for its standard of living and its landscape of fjords, long winters and bright summer nights. For centuries, the Lutheran church was the official religion in these countries, profoundly shaping local identity and customs.
This Lutheran heritage is still visible in every city, with old churches in central squares, and traditional baptisms and weddings. But personal faith practice has declined sharply: the Nordic countries are among the most secular on the planet, and most of the population, even those baptized as children, rarely participate in church life as adults.
The figures confirm a picture slightly better than the European average: 6.6% of the population is evangelical. Of the 103 peoples living in the region, 41 are unreached, including recent immigrant communities. There are already 189 languages with some cataloged biblical translation, but 44 still have no part of Scripture.
Pray for these prosperous, well-organized nations, that the faith that shaped their history may once again be lived with personal conviction, rather than merely remembered as tradition.
Context and characteristics
One of the world's most secular places
Personal religious practice is rare, even where almost the entire population was baptized as children.
High standard of living
Social well-being is a global benchmark, but coexists with little visible spiritual seeking.
Long winters and isolation
The extreme climate and long winter nights shape daily life and, for many, their state of mind as well.
New immigrant communities
Refugees and recent immigrants make up some of the unreached peoples now living in the region.
Countries in this region
Unreached peoples of this region 5 in total
Mission indicators
41
Unreached peoples
Combined from the countries in the region
44
Languages with no Bible translation at all
Combined from the countries in the region
What to pray for
Intercession
For Nordic Lutheran churches to rediscover spiritual vitality beyond tradition.
For the 41 unreached people groups living in the Nordic countries.
For Bible translation into the 44 languages that still have no part of Scripture.
For a younger generation that does not confuse Christian culture with personal faith.
For immigrants and refugees arriving in the region from other religions.
Against the isolation and spiritual loneliness common during long Nordic winters.
For churches able to proclaim the gospel relevantly in one of the world's most secular societies.