Four-in-ten countries and territories worldwide had blasphemy laws in 2019
79 countries and territories out of the 198 studied around the world (40%) had laws or policies in 2019 banning blasphemy.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sign up for our Global newsletter
Delivered twice a month
-
How the Global Religious Landscape Changed From 2010 to 2020
Christians remain the largest religious group, and Muslims grew the fastest from 2010 to 2020. Read how the global share of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and the religiously unaffiliated changed.
-
Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2020
Find how many people identify with each religious group and what percent each made up in 201 countries and territories, and by region, in 2010 and 2020.
-
Same-Sex Marriage Around the World
Sort through nearly 40 jurisdictions that have enacted laws allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.
-
Believing in Spirits and Life After Death Is Common Around the World
Belief in an afterlife, God and spirits in nature is widespread globally. Older adults are more likely than younger adults to believe in God.
-
Free Expression Seen as Important Globally, but Not Everyone Thinks Their Country Has Press, Speech and Internet Freedoms
Across 35 countries, there are some disconnects between how people rate the importance of free expression and how free they feel they actually are.
-
Around the World, Many People Are Leaving Their Childhood Religions
In many places surveyed, 20% or more of all adults have left their childhood religious group. Christianity and Buddhism have had especially large losses.
-
What Age Do People Around the World Think Is Best to Reach Major Life Milestones?
People in mostly middle-income survey countries say it’s ideal to start a family and own a home by 30, and retire by 60.
-
The Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants
The globe’s 280 million immigrants shape countries’ religious composition. Christians make up the largest share, but Jews are most likely to have migrated.
-
Religious composition of the world’s migrants, 1990-2020
Explore our interactive table showing the religious composition of immigrants around the globe and how it’s changed from 1990 to 2020.
-
Where is the most religious place in the world?
People in sub-Saharan Africa are typically among the most likely to say that religion is very important in their lives.
