Women are more religious than men and are more likely to pray every day - and they may even be born that way.

A study has found British women are nine per cent more likely than their male counterparts to give thanks to God every day.

Women are five per cent more likely to go to church every week and are more likely to say that religion is 'very important' to them.

A study has found that British women are nine per cent more likely than their male counterparts to give thanks to God every day. Women are five per cent more likely to go to church ever week more likely to say that religion is 'very important' to them

Experts said there was strong evidence that the difference between the genders was because women were born more religious.

Scientists have yet to discover a 'God gene' but said differences at a genetic level appeared to play a big role.

The results were part of a report called 'The Gender Gap in Religion' from Pew, a respected US-based research institute.

The researchers carried out surveys and used existing data on of countries around the world to compare how men and women see faith.

The figures from the UK showed 23 per cent of women said they prayed every day compared to 14 per cent of men.

The results were part of a report called 'The Gender Gap in Religion' from Pew. The figures from the UK showed 23 per cent of women said they prayed every day compared to 14 per cent of men. When asked if religion was 'very important' to them, 25 per cent of women said yes compared to 18 per cent of men

When asked if religion was 'very important' to them, 25 per cent of women said yes compared to 18 per cent of men.

Some 15 per cent of women said they went to church every week versus 10 per cent of men.

Pew also asked about atheism and found that 56 per cent of men did not believe in God compared to 46 per cent of women.

David Voas, head of the Department of Social Science at University College London, who was consulted for the paper, said that societal factors alone did not explain the difference.

He said: 'There appears to be some fairly compelling evidence (for example from studies of twins) that genes do affect our disposition to be religious.

'And if that's the case, it's at least plausible that the gender gap in religiosity is partly a matter of biology.

WHY WOMEN ARE MORE RELIGIOUS THAN MEN - IS THERE A 'GOD GENE'? Scientists have yet to discover a 'God gene' but said differences at a genetic level appear to play a role Experts said there was strong evidence that the difference between the genders was because women were born more religious. Scientists have yet to discover a 'God gene' but said differences at a genetic level appeared to play a big role. David Voas, head of the Department of Social Science at University College London, who was consulted for the paper, said that societal factors alone did not explain the difference. But he said that it is unlikely there is a 'God gene' that women are more likely to have than men. He said: 'There appears to be some fairly compelling evidence (for example from studies of twins) that genes do affect our disposition to be religious. 'And if that's the case, it's at least plausible that the gender gap in religiosity is partly a matter of biology. 'If true, though, I doubt that it's because there's a 'God gene' and women are more likely to have it than men. 'It seems easier to believe that physiological or hormonal differences could influence personality, which may in turn be linked to variations in 'spirituality' or religious thinking'. Professor Voas said that women could be drawn to Christianity over other religions because it 'presents itself as a religion of the powerless'. Advertisement

'If true, though, I doubt that it's because there's a 'God gene' and women are more likely to have it than men.

'It seems easier to believe that physiological or hormonal differences could influence personality, which may in turn be linked to variations in 'spirituality' or religious thinking'.

The trend in Britain was echoed around the world.

Out of 81 countries surveyed in one part of the research, women reported greater levels of weekly prayer attendance in 30 places, most of which have Christian majorities or large Christian populations.

In 28 countries, mostly places with Muslim majorities or large Muslim populations, men reported greater weekly attendance than women, which was mostly due to cultural reasons.

The study found that in 63 countries around the world - Britain was not included in this part of the survey - men and women were just as likely to believe in heaven and hell.

Professor Voas said that women could be drawn to Christianity over other religions because it 'presents itself as a religion of the powerless'.

He said that for some that makes it 'appealingly feminine' but for others that makes it 'appallingly effeminate'.