The Economics of Church Decline in Scotland

Examines the dramatic post‐war slide of church membership in Scotland from a socio‐economic perspective. Analysis of membership inflows and outflows reveals that the decline in the stock of church members is accounted for in terms of the ebbing of the former. Describes and tests eclectic theoretical hypotheses, invoked to explain this observation, using simple aggregate annual time‐series data. Draws conclusions with respect to the significant economic and social factors which determine church attendance in Scotland. Anticipates increasing disinvolvement in Scottish institutional religion.