Women are much more likely to believe in God and in life after death than men, researchers have found.
Two-thirds have faith compared to fewer than half of men. Sixty per cent of women believe in the afterlife but only 35 per cent of men, said academics.
There was also a gender split among atheists. Men were much more likely to be definite that death is the end – 63 per cent against 36 per cent of women.
Study author Professor David Voas said:
‘Belief – or disbelief – in God and in life after death do not always go together.Nearly a third of the people who believe in God do not believe in an afterlife.’
Among believers, women are much more likely to be definite than men, and among non-believers, men are much more likely to be definite than women.’
The findings support growing indications that women are more religious and Christian churches increasingly rely on them as worshippers and ministers.