EUROPE/ITALY - Jesuits: Southern Asia has the largest presence, Africa the youngest

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – According to information sent to Fides from the Jesuits' General Curia, on 1 January 2011 there were 17,906 Jesuits worldwide, 341 less members than the year before, consistent with previous years. The Jesuits are: 12,737 priests, 1,535 brothers, 2,850 scholars and 784 novices. They are split up around the world into 85 Provinces, 5 Independent Regions, 10 Dependent Regions, 1 mission. The average age is 57,49 years. On 1 January 2011 the region with the most Jesuits was Southern Asia, with 4,018, followed by the united States (2,619), Southern Europe (2,133), Eastern Europe (1,726). The youngest are in Africa (46.14 years). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2011)