Religious groups faced government or social harassment in 192 countries and territories in 2023
Number of countries and territories where religious groups were harassed by governments or social groups, by year
* Includes Sikhs, members of ancient faiths such as Zoroastrianism, members of newer faiths such as Baha’i, and other religious groups.
** Includes, for example, followers of African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and Australian Aboriginal religions.
Note: This measure looks at the number of countries in which groups were harassed, either by the government or by individuals/social groups. It does not assess the severity of the harassment. Numbers do not add to totals shown because multiple religious groups can be harassed in a country.
** Includes, for example, followers of African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and Australian Aboriginal religions.
Note: This measure looks at the number of countries in which groups were harassed, either by the government or by individuals/social groups. It does not assess the severity of the harassment. Numbers do not add to totals shown because multiple religious groups can be harassed in a country.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of external data. Refer to the Methodology for details.
“More Countries Had Elevated Levels of Social Hostilities Involving Religion in 2023”
“More Countries Had Elevated Levels of Social Hostilities Involving Religion in 2023”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Religious groups faced government or social harassment in 192 countries and territories in 2023
Number of countries and territories where religious groups were harassed by governments or social groups, by year
| Year | Christians | Muslims | Jews | Other religions* | Folk religions** | Hindus | Buddhists | Religiously unaffiliated | Any of above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 107 | 96 | 51 | 33 | 24 | 21 | 10 | — | 152 |
| 2008 | 95 | 91 | 53 | 34 | 19 | 18 | 11 | — | 135 |
| 2009 | 96 | 82 | 63 | 39 | 24 | 11 | 7 | — | 147 |
| 2010 | 111 | 90 | 68 | 52 | 26 | 16 | 15 | — | 160 |
| 2011 | 105 | 101 | 69 | 42 | 23 | 12 | 9 | — | 161 |
| 2012 | 110 | 109 | 71 | 39 | 26 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 166 |
| 2013 | 102 | 99 | 77 | 38 | 34 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 164 |
| 2014 | 108 | 100 | 81 | 43 | 21 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 160 |
| 2015 | 128 | 125 | 74 | 50 | 32 | 18 | 7 | 14 | 169 |
| 2016 | 144 | 142 | 87 | 57 | 41 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 187 |
| 2017 | 143 | 140 | 87 | 50 | 38 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 187 |
| 2018 | 145 | 139 | 88 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 185 |
| 2019 | 153 | 147 | 89 | 68 | 32 | 21 | 25 | 22 | 190 |
| 2020 | 155 | 145 | 94 | 62 | 33 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 189 |
| 2021 | 160 | 141 | 91 | 64 | 40 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 190 |
| 2022 | 166 | 148 | 90 | 68 | 49 | 26 | 25 | 32 | 192 |
| 2023 | 165 | 143 | 98 | 64 | 50 | 32 | 22 | 31 | 192 |
* Includes Sikhs, members of ancient faiths such as Zoroastrianism, members of newer faiths such as Baha’i, and other religious groups.
** Includes, for example, followers of African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and Australian Aboriginal religions.
Note: This measure looks at the number of countries in which groups were harassed, either by the government or by individuals/social groups. It does not assess the severity of the harassment. Numbers do not add to totals shown because multiple religious groups can be harassed in a country.
** Includes, for example, followers of African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and Australian Aboriginal religions.
Note: This measure looks at the number of countries in which groups were harassed, either by the government or by individuals/social groups. It does not assess the severity of the harassment. Numbers do not add to totals shown because multiple religious groups can be harassed in a country.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of external data. Refer to the Methodology for details.
“More Countries Had Elevated Levels of Social Hostilities Involving Religion in 2023”
“More Countries Had Elevated Levels of Social Hostilities Involving Religion in 2023”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
