Argentina study finds 35% seek material aid from religious institutions

A 2026 survey by the Barómetro de las Religiones y las Creencias, conducted through the Observatorio de las Creencias of the University of Buenos Aires, reports that 35.5% of Argentine adults visited a temple, church or similar religious institution in the previous twelve months seeking assistance. Of those visitors, 45% were looking for economic, food or employment help, while the majority also cited spiritual support during difficult periods.

The research highlights that older adults rely most on these places – 45% of people aged 50 and over asked for aid, compared with 34% of younger respondents. Investigators Gabriela Irrazábal and Mariela Mosqueira note that religious sites now function as “spaces of reference for thousands of people who look for both emotional consolation and material assistance.” The study underscores the growing social role of religious organisations in Argentina’s safety‑net for vulnerable populations.