The following statistics are extrapolated from the yearly Service Year Reports of Jehovah's Witnesses. The number of publishers have remained almost the same since 1995, which represents a significant fall in growth since 1995. The decrease coincides with the commencement of the Internet information age, which has given ready access to details about Watchtower history, doctrine and current practice. 1995 also saw the release of a revised understanding on when the "generation" concludes.

For a comprehensive analysis of global publisher statistics see jwfacts.com/watchtower/statistics.php

The number of publishers leaving has been calculated as the difference between baptisms and the increase in publishers. The trend shown is accurate, but the actual figure is an indication only, since a person usually becomes a publisher prior to being baptised. As some publishers never proceed to baptism the real figure of those leaving is greater than that shown.

In the graph below, since 1997 the blue and yellow columns have regularly become similar heights, showing that for every person joining the Organisation, the same amount leave. On a number of occasions the number leaving has exceeded baptisms, resulting in negative growth.

The following series of graphs are most revealing, showing that over the last 2 decades in the USA and Australia the increase in publishers is less than half the number baptised, even after taking into account a 0.87% yearly death rate. The global result is less dramatic as people in undeveloped countries are less likely to have the information required to help them leave.

     

Average publisher figures have been used in preference to peak publishers for the sake of accuracy. Peak publishers includes double counting. For example, when a publisher submits two or more reports in the same month all are added to the current month.

The following figures are from the Australian Census 2006 as found at http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/d3310114.nsf/Home/census (30th June 2007). These statistics are revealing in comparison to other Christian religions, bringing into question the claim that only Witnesses preach. Whereas most Christian religions are growing, particularly those actively preaching such as Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists and Baptists, the number of people admitting to being Jehovah's Witnesses is falling. Jehovah's Witnesses have fallen over the last 10 years by 3%, whilst Baptists have grown by 7% and Mormons by 18%.