Jehovah's Witness grew some more this year. 6,613,829 peak publishers, or 100,000 more than last year. The average number was 6,390,016. Interesting to note is that in countries where they are banned or restricted, the growth was 9.2%. This is one of the highest rates in many many years. The United States reported the second highest peak of publishers ever, and a new average. The Ukraine and Russia also experienced growth. And also the other ex-Soviet countries with higher percentages. Britain reported the highest peak of publishers in 7 years. Tuvalu reached a new peak with 62. It is likely that Peru and Venezuela will surpass 100,000 next year. India's Memorial Attendance: 62,069.
Reports from Europe: The highest number of Bible studies in Spain 10 years (also new average publishers). Highest number of publishers in France in 7 years. The highest number of publishers ever in Italy. Highest number of Pioneers in Poland in 10 years (also new average publishers). Highest number of average publishers in Austria in 6 years, and Bible studies in 9. Highest number of studies in Finland in 9 years. Ireland now has surpassed the 5,000 publisher mark with 5,096, up 4%, and up another 3% average. Ireland also has a new peak Memorial attendance: 9,370.
Countries with remarkable growth: Pakistan now surpassing the 1,000 publisher mark. Publishers has been growing very fast in the last years here. Sudan is back with a detailed report. The last time the Society reported statistics for this country was in the 1980's when it was better not to because of the persecution against Christians. They were growing fast back then and continue doing so today. They reported 1,353 peak publishers in 50 congregations, with 5,927 showing up at the Memorial. Mongolia now has more than 100 publishers. Mexico is close to reach the 600,000 mark with 593,802. This country has exploded in the English-Speaking field. Also Malawi has been growing very fast and with a best-yet ratio of 1 publisher to 187. East Timor was up 39%. Kosovo up 14%. Burundi up 9%. The Congo Rep. up 6%. Nepal 10%. Taiwan, 7%.
The most Internet-wired country in the world, South Korea, saw another 1% increase in publishers and another peak of total hours. This country has yet to report a 0-percent or a decrease in publishers.
Baptisms were down to 247,631. Not a whole lot from last year. Brazil had the most people coming in with 28,683, and the United States close with 28,384 (plus the 244 from Hawaii, and Alaska).
Memorial attendance was 16,383,333. United States, 2,257,453 (plus Alaska and Hawaii's 23,281); Mexico, 1,784,042; Brazil, 1,527,133. There were 8,524 Partakers, down from 8,570, or 46 less than the 2004 year.
This year is the first time the Pioneer's figures for both Auxiliary and Regular were split. There were 623,308 average Regular Pioneers, and 219,926 average Auxiliary.
Total congregations: 98,269.
ps thanks, Poppy