Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Newsletters Press Donate My Account Contacted By Us?
Pew Research Center Logo

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Pew Research Center Logo
Research Topics
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAbout
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
Research Topics
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQFamily & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAboutNewslettersPressMy AccountContacted By Us?
DONATE

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Home Research Topics Religion Religion & Government
Pew Research CenterSeptember 29, 2017
Many Countries Favor Specific Religions, Officially or Unofficially

Most countries have no official or preferred religion

← Prev Page
Page1Page2Page3You are reading page4Page5Page6Page7Page8Page9Page10
Next Page →
Most countries have no official or preferred religion

Post Infographics

Many Countries Favor Specific Religions, Officially or Unofficially
Four-in-ten countries have official state religions or preferred religions
Official religions most common in Middle East-North Africa
One-in-five countries have a preferred or favored state religion
Most countries have no official or preferred religion
Ten countries have a hostile relationship with religious institutions
Islam is the most common state religion around the world
Most countries with preferred religions favor Christianity
Middle East-North Africa has highest share of official religions, Europe has highest share of preferred religions
State religions often receive benefits, privileged status
Government funding or resources tend to disproportionately benefit official religion
More than half of preferred religions receive disproportionately beneficial funding or resources for religious education
Central and Eastern European countries and their state-religion relationship
Those in countries without an official or preferred religion favor separation of church and state
Official or preferred religion seen as very important for national identity
Higher government restrictions on religion in states with an official religion

Pew Research Center
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA
(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries

Research Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Follow Us
Email Newsletters Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube RSS

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center About Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy Feedback Careers