More Countries Had Elevated Levels of Social Hostilities Involving Religion in 2023

The number of countries experiencing high or very high levels of social hostilities involving religion rose sharply in 2023, according to a new Pew Research Center study, driven in part by harassment of religious minorities and global reactions to the Israel-Hamas war.

Fifty-five countries had elevated levels of social hostilities involving religion in 2023, up from 45 the previous year, Pew reported ^[1][2]. The peak of 65 countries was recorded in 2012 following the Arab Spring protests. Six countries registered very high social hostilities: Nigeria, India, Israel, Syria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan ^[2]. The Social Hostilities Index measures harassment and violence by private individuals and groups motivated by religion or targeting religious communities.

Government restrictions on religion remained near record levels. Fifty-eight countries had high or very high government restrictions in 2023, just one fewer than the peak of 59 recorded in 2022 ^[1][2]. The Government Restrictions Index captures how officials, laws, and policies impinge on religious freedom.

Despite the rise in countries with elevated hostilities, the global median Social Hostilities Index score held steady at 1.6 out of 10 for the third consecutive year ^[1]. Most countries continued to have low or moderate scores, with 94 countries in the low category and 49 in the moderate category. The median Government Restrictions Index score was 3.0 in 2023, unchanged from the previous two years and the highest level since the study began in 2007 ^[1].

Twelve countries moved into the high social hostilities category in 2023, including five in Europe: Belgium, Norway, Russia, Spain, and Sweden ^[1]. In Spain, the score increased from 2.8 to 3.7 following reported attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses and a machete attack at two churches in Algeciras that killed one person. Muslim leaders reported a rise in hate speech and discrimination after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, while the Federation for Jewish Communities of Spain documented increased antisemitic incidents including vandalism of synagogues and cemeteries ^[1].

Norway's score rose from 3.2 to 4.2 amid physical harassment of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Muslims ^[1]. Two countries, Ethiopia and the Philippines, moved out of the high category into the moderate range in 2023. The study covers 198 countries and territories and draws on publicly reported incidents from the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and other international organizations ^[1].