Global Religious Freedom Declines as Government Restrictions Hit Record High
- Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Dec 31, 2024
Government restrictions on religion are on the rise worldwide, according to a new study that recorded a record-high number of countries with elevated levels of government-imposed limitations. The Pew Forum’s 2024 report on the issue found that 59 countries had either “high” or “very high” levels of government restrictions on religion in 2022, compared to 55 countries in 2021, and a new high for the report. A total of 24 countries were reported to have “very high” restrictions on religion, an uptick from 19 the previous year.
Among the countries on the list with “very high” government restrictions: Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Another country on the “very high” list was Nigeria, where there were “multiple reports of religion-related mob violence, kidnappings and mass killings of Muslims and Christians by armed gangs” by the U.S. State Department. Additionally, the “militant groups Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa burned churches and mosques in the northeast part of the country,” the report said.
Meanwhile, government harassment of religious beliefs and practices took place in 186 countries, an increase from 183 the previous year. Harassment, the report said, includes “a range of actions, from disparaging verbal remarks to the physical use of force against religious groups or their property.”
Christians experienced the highest level of harassment among all religions worldwide. In 2022, Christians faced harassment from governments or social groups in 166 countries, an increase from 160 the previous year.
In Iraq, a Syriac Catholic Church leader in Bartella said militias sought to “‘seize and occupy Christian properties’ in an attempt to drive out Christians and alter the religious composition of the town,” the report said.
In Eritrea, three Catholic leaders “were detained after giving sermons that discussed human rights issues in the country,” the report said.
Muslims experienced harassment in 148 countries, up from 141 in 2021. Jews faced harassment in 90 countries in 2022.
“As in previous years, Jews in 2022 were the religious group that faced harassment in the third-highest number of countries even though they comprise a comparatively small share (0.2 percent) of the world’s population,” the report said.
Government restriction on religion is most prominent in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia-Pacific, the report said.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/seechung
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
