EUROPE/ITALY - 18,815 Jesuits worldwide; largest representation and youngest members in south Asia, with the most novices

Roma (Agenzia Fides) - According to statistics made available to Agenzia Fides from the General Curia of the Society of Jesus, dated January 1, 2008, the total number of Jesuits in the world is 18,815. They are subdivided into: 13,305 priests, 2,295 scholars, 1,758 brothers, and 827 novices. The average age is around 57.53 yrs.: 63.01 for priests, 30.01 for scholars, 65.06 for brothers. These numbers confirm the constant diminishing of the Jesuit Order in recent years: in comparison to last year (January 1, 2007), the Jesuits have been reduced to 401 divisions (they were 19,216). The priests have dropped to 186 divisions, the scholars to 74, the brothers to 52, and the novices to 39.
On January 1, 2008, the most numerous and youngest Jesuits were in South Asia, numbering 3,999, with an average age being 46.95 yrs. Central Europe has the lowest number (709 Jesuits) and the area with the highest average age (67.92 yrs.) is Western Europe.
South Asia maintains the largest number of novices: 249. Next in line are: Africa-Madagascar: 129, East Asia-Oceania: 97, United States: 66, Northern Latin America: 64, Southern Latin America: 62, Southern Europe: 57, Eastern Europe: 50, Western Europe: 34, Central Europe: 19.
A great deal of the universal mission entrusted to the Society is carried out in the so-called “Roman Houses,” that depend directly from the General Superior (General Curia, the Gregorian University, the Biblical Institute, the Eastern Institute, the Vatican Observatory, Vatican Radio, “Catholic Civilization,” and other residences and formation houses). The members in these houses continue belonging to their provinces of origin. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2008, righe 22, parole 263)