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
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Sub-Saharan Africa
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Religious Restrictions Around the World
How do governments and social actors limit religion? Our interactive has tracked restrictions on religion in 198 countries and territories since 2007.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Most People in 35 Countries Say China Has a Large Impact on Their National Economy
Large majorities in nearly all 35 nations surveyed say China has a great deal or a fair amount of influence on their country’s economic conditions.
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Satisfaction with democracy has declined in recent years in high-income nations
Many worldwide are dissatisfied with how democracy is working. In several high-income democracies, dissatisfaction has been on the rise since 2021.
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Globally, Biden Receives Higher Ratings Than Trump
Across 34 nations polled, a 43% median have confidence in Biden’s handling of world affairs, while a 28% median have confidence in Trump.
