Evolving faith: assessing religious dynamics in Turkey (1990-2023)

Abstract

What happens to religious life when Islamist parties govern for decades? Drawing on nationally representative surveys from 1990 to 2023, this article traces how religiosity in Turkey has followed a hybrid path shaped by the politicization of faith. Communal practice and strong religious identification have weakened, especially among men and younger generations, yet belief in God remains widespread. Rather than confirming either secularization or revival, the Turkish case points toward a quiet privatization of faith under conditions of deep social polarization. These findings speak to broader comparative debates and underscore the need for multidimensional measurement in Muslim-majority contexts.