54% of Australians believe the religious aspect of Easter is decreasing

Easter has come early this year, with Good Friday at the end of this week. For many Australians this is a time to come together with family, and 58% of the nation plans to celebrate the occasion.

Easter is traditionally a Christian festival that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. However, over half (54%) of Australians think that the proportion of Australians who observe the religious aspects of Easter (and Christmas) is decreasing.

This is compared to 25% who think it is staying about the same, and 8% who think it is increasing.

Of those who think that the religious observance of Easter is decreasing, one in five (20%) think this is a good thing. Comparatively, 32% think this is a bad thing, while 48% think it is neither good nor bad.

Despite this perception, 40% of those celebrating Easter this year, say they celebrate as it’s part of their religion.

Other reasons for observing the holiday include that it’s a time for family to come together (60%); it’s a family, or Australian, tradition (50%); it’s a public holiday (34%); the traditional activities, such as egg hunts (34%); and that it’s a chance to enjoy eating as much chocolate as you like (25%).

Another routine tradition of Easter celebrations is the Easter Bunny.

57% of Australians reported growing up with stories of this mythical figure. However, an even larger portion of the nation (64%) has expressed their intention to pass this tradition onto their children.

Comparatively, 72% of Australians grew up with Santa Claus, with 74% wishing to pass this convention on.

As for the Tooth Fairy, 57% were raised believing in this story, and 64% intend to pass this onto their children.

Although, as a celebration, Easter loses out in popularity to Christmas, as only 5% of Australians prefer Easter (compared to 44% for Christmas), 58% of the nation still say they are planning to celebrate the occasion this coming weekend.

Of the generations, Millennials are the most likely to celebrate this Easter, with 68% intending to mark the event, this is followed by 58% of Gen Z, 51% of Baby Boomers and 50% of Gen X.

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online between 21st and 25th March 2024, with a national sample of 1,027 Australians, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, and location to be representative of all adults in Australia (18 years or older) as per the latest population estimates provided by the ABS. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.