Christians face harassment in over 160 countries as restrictions reach record levels: Pew study

March 13, 2024

According to a comprehensive study of 190 countries, Pew Research is reporting that Christians experienced harassment in 160 countries in 2021. The Christian Post reports that the research also showed that government restrictions on religion reached an all time high.

The study showed both government actions as well as social hostility contributed to the overall persecution of religious groups. The Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project also concluded that government restrictions reached an all-time high with 183 countries imposing various limitations.

According to the Christian Post, Christians were harassed in 160 countries, up from 155 in the previous year. That harassment ranged from simple forms of discrimination to more overt acts of violence and oppression.

The research also showed that Muslims faced harassment in 141 countries, down from 145 in 2020.

The study reported incidents of property damage, assaults on people, detentions, displacements and killings in 137 countries with governments being the primary perpetrators in 100 of the incidents. Europe had the highest number of countries reporting property damage related to religion with the closure of 21 mosques in France and attacks on Catholic and Jewish sites in Poland.

Physical assaults were reported in 91 countries and detentions related to religious beliefs were reported in 77 countries. According to the analysis, government restrictions, including laws, policies and actions by state officials that limit religious beliefs and practices, reached a new peak globally.

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