"Secularization has accelerated. From 1981 to 2007, most countries became more religious, but from 2007 to 2020, the overwhelming majority became less religious. For centuries, all major religions encouraged norms that limit women to producing as many children as possible and discourage any sexual behavior not linked with reproduction. These norms were needed when facing high infant mortality and low life expectancy but require suppressing strong drives, and are rapidly eroding. These norms are so strongly linked with religion that abandoning them undermines religiosity. Religion became pervasive because it was conducive to survival, encouraged sharing when there was no social security system, and it is conducive to mental health and coping with insecure conditions. People need coherent belief systems, but religion is declining. What comes next? The Nordic countries have consistently been at the cutting edge of cultural change. Protestantism left an enduring imprint, but the 20th Century welfare added universal health coverage, high levels of state support for education, welfare spending, child care, pensions and an ethos of social solidarity. These countries are also characterized by rapidly declining religiosity. Does this portend corruption and nihilism? Apparently not. These countries lead the world on numerous indicators of a well-functioning society, including economic equality, gender equality, low homicide rates, subjective well-being, environmental protection and democracy. They have become less religious, but their people have high levels of interpersonal trust, tolerance, honesty, social solidarity and commitment to democratic norms." (Publisher) "The book employs data from not only Western countries, but over 100 countries in order to examine the conditions leading to the decline in religiosity and the implications this phenomenon holds for the future. The data convincingly suggests that there is a significant difference between the period from 1981 to 2007 and the period from 2007 to 2019. At glance, both periods seem to belong to the same era called modern period. However, this same era has a significant difference for the decline in religion. Then, what is causing the decline in religiosity between those periods? Inglehart uses two terminologies to explain about the change. The majority shift from “Pro-Fertility Norms” to “Individual-Choice Norms”. It appears that Individual-Choice Norms were already in existence long before the period of 1981-2007. Developed nations have gone through the woman’s movement, gay-rights movement and having populations with the problem of obesity rather than the problem of hunger. Moreover, it is more understandable to compare with those who had little material possessions and food after the World War II and with those who enjoyed the financial prosperity from 1960s and 70s and onward. However, if looking at the actual political adaptations in same sex marriage for example, it can be seen that Individual-Choice Norms and the new generations who wholeheartedly believe in those norms became more apparent after 2007 and onward." (https://www.asianresearchcenter.org)