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Highlights the voting records of members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for bills, resolutions, and amendments that support international religious freedom...
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IRF Legislative Tracker
Current and historical legislative activity --Search Congress.gov and explore IRF related legislation, activity, and actors.
U.S. Senate & House IRF Voting Records
1998 IRF Act Retrospective
IRFA 20th Anniversary RetrospectiveThis 20th Anniversary Retrospective of the 1989 IRF Act retraces the collaborative efforts that helped integrate international religious freedom within U.S. foreign policy.
USG FoRB Resources
Search U.S. Govt legislation, policies, federal codes, events, reports, etc: Congress, Executive Branch, Library of Congress, CRS, State legislatures, treaties, etc.
Religious Freedom Spectrum of Perspectives−Country Summaries
Country
ISO Code
Flag
Summary
USCIRF
USCIRF Source
Pew—Government Restrictions Index
Pew—GRI Source
Pew—Social Hostilities Index
Pew—SHI Source
Open Doors—Level of Christian Persecution
Open—Doors Source
Cato—Human Freedom Index
Cato—Source
ADL Global—100 Survey
ADL—Source
Freedom House—Freedom of Expression and Belief
Freedom House—Source
World Index of Moral Freedom
World Index Source
Varieties of Democracy Index
Varieties of Democracy Source
ARDA Religious Regulation Index
RRI Source
ARDA Religious Minority Discrimination Index
ARDA Religious Minoritiy Discrimination Index Source
Aid to the Church in Need Report
Aid to the Church in Need Report Source
Details
Afghanistan
AF
“Afghanistan is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups, including Pashtuns (42 percent), Tajiks (27 percent), Hazaras (9 percent), Uzbeks (9 percent), Turkmen (3 percent), and Baloch (2 percent). Historically, the nation also was religiously diverse, but the vast majority of non-Muslims fled after the Taliban consolidated control of the government in 1996. The Hindu and Sikh population, for example, dropped from 220,000 in the early 1990s to a little over 200 today. The country’s current population is approximately 99.7 percent Muslim (84.7–89.7 percent Sunni and 10–15 percent Shi’a, including Ismailis), with the few remaining non-Muslims (Hindus, Sikhs, Baha’is, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and others, including one known Jew) comprising the remaining 0.3 percent.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
High
High
Extreme
1
12.38
1.87
3
3
Persecution
Albania
AL
Moderate
Low
8.9
4
96.13
3.71
1
1
Stable
Algeria
DZ
“Algeria is geographically the largest country in Africa and home to more than 43 million people. Algeria’s state religion is Islam, and an estimated 99 percent of the population identify as Sunni Muslim, with the remaining 1 percent of the population comprising of Jews, Christians, and Ahmadiyya and Shi’a Muslims. The Christian community of Algeria includes Roman Catholics, Seventh-day Adventists, Methodists, Evangelicals, Lutherans, the Reformed Church, and Egyptian Coptic Christians.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
High
Very High
3.7
87
1
22.75
3
3
Discrimination
Andorra
AD
Moderate
Low
3
98.13
0
1
Stable
Angola
AO
Moderate
Low
6.5
2
98.70
2.72
1
2
Stable
Antigua and Barbuda
AG
Low
Low
4
Stable
Argentina
AR
Low
Low
8.3
30
4
95.67
3.90
0
2
Stable
Armenia
AM
Moderate
Moderate
6.8
58
2
92.79
3.22
1
3
Stable
Australia
AU
Low
Moderate
8.9
14
4
98.41
3.88
1
1
Stable
Austria
AT
Moderate
Moderate
7.2
20
3
98.00
3.22
1
2
Stable
Azerbaijan
AZ
“Approximately 96 percent of Azerbaijan’s estimated population of 10.2 million people are Muslim; the Azerbaijani government estimates that around 65 percent identify as Shi’a Muslim, while the other 35 percent identify as Sunni Muslim. The remaining 4 percent of the population consists of atheists, Armenian Apostolics, Baha’is, Catholics, Georgian Orthodox, members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Molokans, Protestants, and Russian Orthodox” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
Low
5.3
37
0
53.10
2.26
3
3
Discrimination
Bahamas
BS
Moderate
Low
7.9
4
98.00
1
1
Stable
Bahrain
BH
High
Moderate
3.3
81
1
15.00
3
3
Stable
Bangladesh
BD
High
High
Very High
5.7
32
2
21.81
3.19
3
2
Persecution
Barbados
BB
Low
Low
8.6
4
1
0
Stable
Belarus
BY
High
Low
6.0
38
1
73.15
2.35
3
3
Stable
Belgium
BE
Moderate
High
7.8
24
3
98.00
3.74
1
2
Stable
Belize
BZ
Low
Low
9.1
4
1
1
Stable
Benin
BJ
Low
Moderate
9.0
4
3.91
1
0
Stable
Bhutan
BT
High
Low
Very High
5.7
2
2.11
2
3
Discrimination
Bolivia
BO
Low
Moderate
8.6
30
4
96.13
3.65
2
2
Stable
Bosnia and Herzegovina
BA
Moderate
Moderate
7.9
32
3
92.38
3.36
1
3
Stable
Botswana
BW
Low
Low
8.7
33
4
98.00
3.53
1
1
Stable
Brazil
BR
Moderate
High
8.7
16
4
95.67
2.88
1
1
Stable
Brunei Darussalam
BN
Very High
Low
Very High
1
21.75
3
3
Discrimination
Bulgaria
BG
High
High
7.4
44
3
96.13
3.49
3
3
Stable
Burkina Faso
BF
Moderate
High
Very High
7.8
3
3.42
1
0
Stable
Burundi
BI
Moderate
Moderate
7.0
3
2
0
Stable
Cabo Verde
CV
Low
Low
8.7
4
1
1
Stable
Cambodia
KH
Moderate
Moderate
Very High
6.1
3
72.72
2.78
2
1
Stable
Cameroon
CM
Moderate
High
7.3
35
2
96.13
3.61
0
0
Stable
Canada
CA
Low
Moderate
8.3
8
3
99.57
3.82
1
0
Stable
Central African Republic
CF
Moderate
Very High
Very High
7.0
0
20.88
3.39
1
1
Stable
Chad
TD
Moderate
Moderate
7.0
1
3
2
Stable
Chile
CL
Low
Low
9.0
37
4
94.25
3.85
1
2
Stable
China
CN
“Approximately 18 percent of China’s estimated 1.4 billion people are Buddhist, including Tibetan Buddhists; 5 percent are Christian; and 2 percent are Muslim. Other significant religious traditions include the Falun Gong, Daoism, and indigenous practices. Although the CCP has long repressed religious freedom, in recent years it has become increasingly hostile toward religion, resulting in campaigns to “sinicize” Islam, Tibetan Buddhism, and Christianity to rid the religions of alleged “foreign” influences. These policies require religious groups to support CCP rule and its overall objectives and interests, including by altering their teachings to conform to CCP ideology and adopting architectural and other changes to their sites and symbols. Both registered and unregistered religious groups and individuals who run afoul of the CCP face harassment, detention, arrest, and imprisonment.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Moderate
Very High
3.3
20
0
38.08
0.24
3
3
Persecution
Colombia
CO
Low
Moderate
Very High
7.7
41
4
95.96
3.48
1
1
Stable
Comoros
KM
High
Low
Very High
2
31.13
2
3
Stable
Congo (Republic of)
CG
Low
Low
7.4
3
3.56
1
0
Stable
Costa Rica
CR
Moderate
Low
7.5
32
4
89.50
3.86
2
2
Stable
Cote d’Ivoire
CI
Low
Low
8.4
22
3
3.67
2
0
Croatia
HR
Moderate
Low
8.2
33
3
92.38
3.59
1
2
Stable
Cuba
CU
“While there are no independent sources on Cuba’s religious demographics, a reported 60–70 percent of Cuba’s estimated population of 11.1 million self-identify as Catholic. Approximately 25–30 percent identify as unaffiliated or another religion, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Quakers, Moravians, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An estimated 70% of Cubans engage in one or more practices associated with Santería, a syncretic religion borne out of the Yoruba tradition mixed with elements of Catholicism, or another Afro-Cuban religion. Cuba is a one-party system under the ruling Cuban Communist Party, with no independent judiciary and where the state tightly controls religious institutions. A new constitution adopted in April 2019 protects the freedom of religion or belief and prohibits religious discrimination. A timetable was set to review and amend corresponding legislation to codify the constitutional changes, including the Law of Associations. However, this process has been delayed, resulting in some constitutional rights existing only on paper.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
High
Low
3
49.78
2.58
3
3
Stable
Cyprus
CY
Moderate
Moderate
7.3
4
94.25
3.61
2
2
Stable
Czech Republic
CZ
Moderate
Moderate
7.8
13
3
99.00
3.63
2
2
Stable
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
CD
Moderate
Moderate
Very High
6.5
3
3.23
1
1
Stable
Denmark
DK
High
High
7.0
10
4
97.13
3.59
3
2
Stable
Djibouti
DJ
Moderate
Low
2
26.50
2.55
3
0
Stable
Dominica
DM
Low
Low
4
96.13
Stable
Dominican Republic
DO
Low
Low
8.1
41
4
95.13
3.77
0
2
Stable
Ecuador
EC
Low
Low
9.0
4
95.09
3.81
1
1
Stable
Egypt
EG
“Egypt’s constitution identifies Islam as the state religion and the principles of Shari’a as the primary source of legislation. While Article 64 states that “freedom of belief is absolute,” only Muslims, Christians, and Jews can practice their religion publicly and build places of worship. Of the country’s estimated 104 million people, around 90 percent are Sunni Muslims, and non-Sunni Muslims, such as Shi’a Muslims, comprise less than 1 percent. An estimated 10 percent are Christians, the majority of whom belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church; other Christians belong to various denominations that include Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical Protestant, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, Greek and Syrian Orthodox, and others. There are at least 2,000 Baha’is, approximately 1,500 Jehovah’s Witnesses, and fewer than 20 Jews.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
High
Very High
3.2
75
1
21.94
2.26
3
3
Discrimination
El Salvador
SV
Low
Moderate
8.4
3
93.25
2
1
Stable
Equatorial Guinea
GQ
Moderate
Low
1
89.50
2.98
3
1
Stable
Eritrea
ER
“Eritrea is a single-party state led by the Popular Front for Democracy and Justice party (PFDJ) under the leadership of President Isaias Afwerki since its independence in 1993. The constitution of Eritrea states that the government must protect freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, as well as the right of individuals to practice the religion of their choice, but this right is not protected in practice. Eritrea’s population is split in half between Christians (49 percent) and Muslims (49 percent). The Christian population mainly resides in the southern and central regions of the country, whereas the Muslim population lives predominantly in the northern region” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Low
Extreme
0
20.13
0.70
3
3
Persecution
Estonia
EE
Low
Low
8.8
22
4
97.41
3.60
2
1
Stable
Eswatini
SZ
Low
Low
6.4
2
85.75
2.88
1
1
Stable
Ethiopia
ET
Moderate
High
Very High
6.0
1
78.48
3.37
3
2
Stable
Fiji
FJ
Low
Low
7.7
4
3.40
1
1
Stable
Finland
FI
Moderate
Moderate
7.9
15
4
96.13
3.90
1
1
Stable
France
FR
High
Moderate
7.4
17
3
96.83
3.52
2
2
Stable
Gabon
GA
Low
Low
9.0
3
3.21
1
1
Stable
Gambia
GM
Low
Moderate
8.1
87.30
2
1
Stable
Georgia
GE
Moderate
Moderate
7.1
32
2
94.95
3.29
2
3
Stable
Germany
DE
Moderate
High
7.4
15
3
96.83
3.82
2
3
Stable
Ghana
GH
Low
Moderate
8.6
15
3
95.13
3.89
2
1
Stable
Greece
GR
Moderate
Moderate
6.5
67
3
94.25
2.98
2
3
Stable
Grenada
GD
Low
Low
4
Stable
Guatemala
GT
Low
Low
7.8
36
4
89.50
3.63
2
1
Stable
Guinea
GN
Moderate
Moderate
7.6
3
95.13
3.48
1
1
Stable
Guinea-Bissau
GW
Low
Low
9.1
3
95.13
3.88
2
0
Stable
Guyana
GY
Moderate
Low
8.6
4
92.38
3.83
1
1
Stable
Haiti
HT
Moderate
Moderate
7.3
26
3
96.13
2
1
Stable
Vatican City
VA
Moderate
Moderate
Honduras
HN
Low
Moderate
8.2
4
89.50
3.72
2
2
Stable
Hong Kong
HK
Low
Low
8.3
4
Hungary
HU
Moderate
High
7.3
42
3
93.21
3.59
1
2
Iceland
IS
Moderate
Low
8.0
16
4
97.99
1
1
Stable
India
IN
“India is the world’s largest democracy, with a rich tradition of secular pluralism. Its estimated population exceeds 1.3 billion: 79.8 percent Hindu, 14.2 percent Muslim, 2.3 percent Christian, and 1.7 percent Sikh. Smaller religious groups include Buddhists, Jains, Baha’is, Jews, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and nonreligious persons. India’s constitution establishes the nation as secular, and Article 25 grants all individuals freedom of conscience, including the right to practice, profess, and propagate religion. Yet, in recent years, the BJP-led government has challenged the secular principles of the constitution by implementing laws and policies at the national and state levels promoting Hindu nationalism, thereby posing severe challenges to freedom of religion or belief and related rights. Throughout 2020, the national and state governments’ perpetration and toleration of these systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations led to increasing repression of religious freedom and a growing climate of hostility and violence toward religious minorities, human rights advocates, and others speaking out against such violations.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
High
Very High
Extreme
5.0
20
2
63.21
2.36
3
3
Persecution
Indonesia
ID
“Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. Muslims comprise 87.2 percent of Indonesia’s 267 million citizens, while Protestant Christians comprise 7 percent, Roman Catholics 2.9 percent, and Hindus 1.7 percent; 0.9 percent identify as another minority religion such as Buddhism or Confucianism. In 2020, the World Bank upgraded Indonesia’s economic ranking from lower- to upper-middle income country. In light of this diversity, Indonesia has a long tradition of religious pluralism. Article 29 of its constitution “guarantees the independence of each resident to embrace religion and worship according to their respective religions and beliefs.’” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
High
Very High
5.2
48
1
20.51
3
3
Persecution
Iran
IR
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocratic, authoritarian state with restricted political participation. Ninety to 95 percent of the population are Shi’a Muslim, while Sunni Muslims account for 5–10 percent. Approximately 0.3 percent ascribe to other religions, including the Baha’i faith, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Judaism. While the Jaafari (Twelver) school of Shi’a Islam is the official religion, the constitution extends full respect to the five major Sunni schools. It also recognizes Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians as protected minorities. Five of the parliament’s 290 seats are reserved for religious minorities—two for Armenian Christians and one each for Assyrian/Chaldean Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. There are two Hindu temples, and Buddhism has historic influences. Iran is home to several other religious groups that face persecution, including Mandeans, Yarsanis, nonbelievers, and followers of spiritual movements. In December 2016, President Hassan Rouhani publicly released a nonbinding Charter on Citizens’ Rights, but religious minorities have seen little change based on this document.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Moderate
Extreme
3.5
60
0
7.08
1.10
3
3
Discrimination
Iraq
IQ
“The Iraqi population is predominantly Muslim: 64–69 percent are Shi’a Muslim and 29–34 percent are Sunni Muslim. The Shi’a Muslim population resides predominantly in the south and eastern regions of the country, whereas the Sunnis live in the west, center, and north of the country. There are also about 200,000 Christians from various denominations, including Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants, mainly located in the Nineveh Plains in the north. However, that population has drastically declined since 2003, when Iraqi Christians were estimated to number 1.5 million. Iraq is also home to almost 700,000 Yazidis, who remained largely internally displaced, as well as about 150,000 Kaka’is, also known as the Yarsan or Ahl al-Haq; these two communities are mainly spread across the north. Finally, a tiny Jewish community continues to reside in Baghdad and Erbil” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
Very High
Extreme
4.2
92
1
19.00
2.36
1
3
Persecution
Ireland
IE
Low
Moderate
8.3
20
4
96.13
3.85
1
1
Stable
Israel
IL
High
Very High
6.0
3
92.38
3.84
3
2
Stable
Italy
IT
Moderate
Moderate
7.8
18
4
96.83
3.85
0
2
Stable
Jamaica
JM
Low
Low
9.0
18
4
96.13
3.87
1
1
Stable
Japan
JP
Low
Low
9.0
23
4
96.25
3.86
0
1
Stable
Jordan
JO
High
High
Very High
4.8
81
2
29.60
2.12
3
3
Stable
Kazakhstan
KZ
“Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and home to the region’s second-largest population, with around 19 million citizens. The population is around 70 percent Sunni Muslim, 26 percent Christian (including Orthodox, Protestants, Catholics, and Jehovah’s Witnesses), 3 percent other (including Jews, Buddhists, Baha’is, and Hare Krishnas), and less than 1 percent Shi’a Muslims, mostly ethnic Azeris. A total of 3,826 officially registered religious associations represent 18 religious groups in Kazakhstan and 3,597 registered places of worship. Approximately two-thirds of the population are ethnic Kazakhs—a Turkic people group—while the rest are ethnic Slavs and other Turkic peoples, including Uzbeks and Uyghurs. Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with a large ethnic Russian population, mostly in the north. The government is avowedly secular and seeks to control religion, which it views as a potentially destabilizing force.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
Low
Very High
5.2
32
1
48.19
1.98
3
3
Discrimination
Kenya
KE
Moderate
High
Very High
6.8
35
2
96.25
3.81
2
2
Stable
Kiribati
KI
Low
Low
4
Stable
Kosovo
XK
Moderate
Moderate
2
3.82
Stable
Kuwait
KW
High
Moderate
Very High
5.2
82
2
21.88
2.52
3
3
Stable
Kyrgyzstan
KG
High
Moderate
5.8
2
52.25
3.26
3
3
Discrimination
Laos
LA
High
Moderate
Very High
4.7
0
1
67.00
2.18
3
3
Discrimination
Latvia
LV
Moderate
Low
8.5
28
4
97.13
3.86
2
2
Stable
Lebanon
LB
Moderate
High
7.1
78
3
91.05
3.47
1
2
Stable
Lesotho
LS
Low
Low
8.7
4
3.87
1
0
Stable
Liberia
LR
Low
Moderate
8.6
3
96.13
3.35
2
1
Stable
Libya
LY
High
Very High
Extreme
4.7
87
1
18.21
1.00
2
3
Persecution
Liechtenstein
LI
Low
Moderate
4
1
1
Stable
Lithuania
LT
Moderate
Low
8.2
36
4
97.13
3.74
2
2
Stable
Luxembourg
LU
Moderate
Low
8.6
4
97.13
3.63
2
1
Stable
Madagascar
MG
Moderate
Moderate
8.3
3
86.75
3.33
2
2
Stable
Malawi
MW
Low
Moderate
8.5
4
95.38
3.67
1
2
Stable
Malaysia
MY
“Malaysia is a highly pluralistic society. Around 61.3 percent of the population identify as Muslim, the vast majority adhering to state-sponsored Sunni Islam. Buddhists comprise 19.8 percent; 9.2 percent are Christian; 6.3 percent are Hindu; 1.3 percent practice Confucianism, Taoism, and other traditional Chinese religions; and about 0.8 percent identify with no religion. Although Malaysia was founded as a secular state, Article 3 of the 1957 constitution places Islam—interpreted as Sunni Islam—as the federation’s official religion, while Article 160 links Malay ethnic identity with Islam. This constitutional construct has long been used to advance social policies—many of which amount to legally mandated religious discrimination—that give ethnic Malays preferential treatment, including in education and employment, to offset historical economic disparities.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
High
Very High
4.8
61
1
77.34
2.31
3
3
Stable
Maldives
MV
Very High
Moderate
Very High
0
35.13
3
3
Discrimination
Mali
ML
Low
High
Very High
8.0
2
78.25
1
1
Stable
Malta
MT
Low
Low
7.5
4
95.13
1
1
Stable
Marshall Islands
MH
Low
Low
4
Stable
Mauritania
MR
Very High
Moderate
Very High
4.3
2
12.38
3
3
Discrimination
Mauritius
MU
Low
Low
8.2
44
4
96.13
1
1
Stable
Mexico
MX
Moderate
High
Very High
8.1
24
4
95.38
3.52
3
2
Stable
Micronesia
FM
Low
Low
4
Stable
Moldova
MD
High
High
6.8
30
3
95.13
3.62
3
2
Stable
Monaco
MC
Moderate
Low
4
60.50
Stable
Mongolia
MN
Moderate
Low
8.5
26
4
96.13
3.45
1
2
Stable
Montenegro
ME
Moderate
Low
8.5
29
3
96.13
3.10
Stable
Morocco
MA
High
Moderate
Very High
4.4
80
2
38.84
1.87
3
3
Stable
Mozambique
MZ
Moderate
Moderate
Very High
8.8
3
86.75
3.41
2
1
Stable
Myanmar
MM
“Burma has a Buddhist majority (87.9 percent) with Christian (6.2 percent), Muslim (4.3 percent), Animist (0.8 percent), and Hindu (0.5 percent) populations. The 2008 constitution recognizes all these religions, with Buddhism as the de facto state religion. Religious and ethnic minorities not belonging to the majority Bamar ethnicity and Buddhist faith have faced longstanding persecution. Burma’s race and religion laws regulate religious conversion, marriage, and births and restrict the religious freedom of non-Buddhists, particularly Muslims. In November 2020, Burma held its second democratic general election, where Suu Kyi’s NLD secured another majority win. The NLD government faced criticism for its inaction on the atrocities perpetrated against religious and ethnic minorities, most notably military operations in Rakhine; indeed, Suu Kyi defended the military in the ICJ. In February 2021, the Tatmadaw seized power from and detained Leader Suu Kyi and other NLD officials in a military coup.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
High
Very High
4.9
1
12.14
2.76
3
3
Persecution
Namibia
NA
Low
Low
9.1
4
3.90
0
0
Stable
Nauru
NR
Low
Low
4
Stable
Nepal
NP
High
Moderate
Very High
6.6
2
81.13
3.25
2
2
Stable
Netherlands
NL
Moderate
High
8.6
10
4
97.13
3.02
1
1
Stable
New Zealand
NZ
Low
Moderate
9.4
14
4
97.13
1
1
Stable
Nicaragua
NI
“President Ortega is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Nicaragua. He and his party, the FSLN, exercise authoritarian control over all three branches of government and the electoral process. Roman Catholics account for about 50 percent of the population, followed by Evangelical Christians at 33.2 percent, followers of unspecified religions at 13.2 percent, “other” religions (including Jews and Muslims) at 2.9 percent, and 0.7 percent adhering to no religion.Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Moderate
Moderate
5.6
34
2
85.75
2.99
2
1
Stable
Niger
NE
Moderate
High
7.5
2
3.25
3
0
Persecution
Nigeria
NG
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated 219 million people. Among these, an estimated 53.5 percent identify as Muslim; 45.9 percent identify as Christian; and 0.6 percent identify with other religious beliefs, including atheism, the Baha’i faith, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and African traditional religions. The 1999 Constitution protects freedom of religion or belief and prohibits the state from establishing a state religion and from discriminating on the basis of religion. The Nigerian Criminal Code includes a penalty of up to two years imprisonment for insulting a person’s religion.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
High
Very High
Extreme
6.3
16
1
48.79
3.37
2
3
Persecution
North Korea
KP
“Information about religious demographics and religious freedom conditions in North Korea is difficult to confirm and often outdated. North Koreans traditionally followed Buddhism and an indigenous syncretic religious movement known as Chondoism (Religion of the Heavenly Way). The country had a sizeable Christian community before the Korean War (1950–1953), with Pyongyang known as the “Jerusalem of the East,” but successive crackdowns have shrunk the Christian population to an estimated 2 percent of the total population. Many North Koreans learn about the religion when they flee to South Korea via China. Although technically illegal, shamanism and traditional folk religion practices, such as fortunetelling, are widespread.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Extreme
0
0.18
3
3
Persecution
North Macedonia
MK
Moderate
Moderate
6.8
3
96.13
3.37
3
3
Stable
Norway
NO
Moderate
Moderate
8.3
15
4
97.13
3.94
1
2
Stable
Oman
OM
High
Low
Very High
5.3
76
2
24.38
2.54
3
3
Stable
Pakistan
PK
“Pakistan’s population is 96.28 percent Muslim (85–90 percent Sunni, 10–15 percent Shi’a, and 0.22 percent Ahmadi), with smaller populations of Hindus (1.6 percent); Christians (1.59 percent); and Sikhs, Buddhists, Baha’is, and Zoroastrians (<1 percent). Pakistan was established as an Islamic Republic in 1956 with special status for Islam (for example, only Muslims can serve as president and prime minister). Its constitution nominally protects religious freedom by prohibiting faith-based discrimination and guaranteeing the right to religious practices and religious education. The constitution also reserves for religious minorities 10 seats in the National Assembly, four seats in the Senate, and 23 seats in four provincial assemblies. However, the second amendment, added in 1974, declares Ahmadis non-Muslims, excluding them from representation." Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
High
Very High
Extreme
3.5
1
15.31
1.30
3
3
Persecution
Palau
PW
Low
Low
4
Stable
Panama
PA
Low
Low
8.1
52
4
94.25
3.84
2
1
Stable
Papua New Guinea
PG
Low
Moderate
8.3
4
96.13
3.70
2
1
Stable
Paraguay
PY
Low
Moderate
8.5
35
4
94.25
3.87
2
2
Stable
Peru
PE
Low
Low
7.9
38
4
94.25
3.87
2
2
Stable
Philippines
PH
Low
High
6.8
3
4
79.08
3.15
2
0
Stable
Poland
PL
Moderate
Moderate
7.7
48
4
94.25
3.52
2
1
Stable
Portugal
PT
Low
Low
9.4
21
4
97.13
3.76
2
1
Stable
Qatar
QA
High
Low
Very High
4.3
80
2
31.88
1.16
3
3
Discrimination
Romania
RO
High
Moderate
7.8
47
3
95.25
3.55
2
3
Stable
Russia
RU
“The Russian government views independent religious activity as a threat to social and political stability and to its own control, yet it simultaneously cultivates relationships with what it deems “traditional” religions. The population is religiously diverse: around 68 percent identify as Russian Orthodox Christian; 7 percent identify as Muslim; and 25 percent comprise an array of communities, including Protestants, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhists, Jews, Baha’is, and indigenous religions. The government enforces laws that restrict religious freedom, including a 1996 religion law; a 2002 law on combating extremism; and more recent laws on blasphemy, “stirring up religious hatred,” and “missionary activity.” These vague laws give authorities broad powers to define and prosecute any religious speech or activity or to ban any religious literature they deem harmful. The anti-extremism law, for example, lacks a clear definition of extremism and includes no prerequisite for the use or advocacy of violence. The law is a powerful way to intimidate religious communities as it allows for the prosecution of virtually any speech; suspects can be financially blacklisted or liquidated, and they can face criminal prosecutions.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
High
4.2
31
1
46.32
2.32
3
3
Discrimination
Rwanda
RW
Moderate
Moderate
6.4
2
59.73
2.43
3
2
Stable
Saint Kitts and Nevis
KN
Low
Low
Stable
Saint Lucia
LC
Low
Low
96.13
Stable
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
VC
Low
Low
96.13
Stable
Samoa
WS
Low
Moderate
3
Stable
San Marino
SM
Low
Low
4
96.13
Stable
São Tomé and Príncipe
ST
Low
Low
4
Stable
Saudi Arabia
SA
“Saudi Arabia is home to over 34 million Saudis, 85–90 percent of whom are Sunni Muslims and 10–15 percent of whom are Shi’a Muslims. The United Nations (UN) estimates that 37 percent of the population are expatriates, including at least two million Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, practitioners of folk religions, and the unaffiliated. Non-Muslim or atheist citizens often hide their identity to avoid harsh social and official consequences. The ruling monarch, King Salman bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud, holds the title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has systematically cracked down on both religious and political dissent despite overseeing economic reforms associated with Saudi Vision 2030.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Moderate
Very High
2.8
74
0
8.53
0.32
3
3
Persecution
Senegal
SN
Low
Low
7.8
53
4
96.13
3.58
1
0
Stable
Serbia
RS
Moderate
Moderate
8.3
42
4
90.50
3.68
Stable
Seychelles
SC
Moderate
Low
7.4
4
94.25
Stable
Sierra Leone
SL
Moderate
Moderate
8.7
4
3.56
1
0
Stable
Singapore
SG
Very High
Moderate
6.2
16
3
74.60
3
2
Stable
Slovakia
SK
Moderate
Moderate
7.5
4
96.13
3.35
1
2
Stable
Slovenia
SI
Low
Low
8.9
27
4
96.13
3.42
1
1
Stable
Solomon Islands
SB
Low
Low
4
96.13
0
0
Stable
Somalia
SO
Moderate
High
Extreme
0
16.25
0.52
2
2
Persecution
South Africa
ZA
Low
Moderate
8.5
47
4
96.25
3.88
0
1
Stable
South Korea
KR
Moderate
High
53
4
3.94
1
0
Stable
South Sudan
SS
Moderate
Low
1
2.95
Stable
Spain
ES
Moderate
Moderate
7.8
28
4
97.13
3.74
1
2
Stable
Sri Lanka
LK
High
Very High
7.4
2
51.38
2.99
1
2
Stable
Sudan
SD
High
Moderate
Very High
4.1
2
3.48
1.86
3
3
Persecution
Suriname
SR
Low
Low
8.9
4
96.13
3.84
1
1
Stable
Sweden
SE
Moderate
Moderate
8.7
4
4
97.13
2
2
Stable
Switzerland
CH
Moderate
High
7.8
26
3
97.13
3.67
2
2
Stable
Syria
SY
“Estimates place Syria’s population at just over 20 million, but the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees recorded 6.6 million Syrians as refugees and another 6.7 million as internally displaced persons (IDPs) by the end of 2020. That population is religiously diverse: Sunni Muslims account for 74 percent; Alawite, Shi’a, and Isma’ili Muslims comprise 13 percent; Assyrians, Maronites, Armenians, and other Christians comprise 10 percent; Druze account for 3 percent; and a small number of Syrian Jews remain in Damascus and Aleppo. However, it is difficult to confirm these figures amid the country’s 10-year conflict, given the staggering number of displaced persons. A disproportionately high number of religious minority communities have fled during the decade of violence; some estimates suggest that as many as 677,000 Christians have left the country, diminishing from around 10 percent to 3.6 percent of the population.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Very High
Extreme
3.4
2
30.45
1.40
3
3
Persecution
Taiwan
TW
Low
Low
9.2
4
3.94
1
0
Stable
Tajikistan
TJ
“Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia and ruled since 1992 by President Rahmon, who has concentrated power in his family’s hands. President Rahmon was elected to another seven-year term in October 2020, allegedly winning almost 91 percent of the vote in elections widely perceived as fraudulent. The government is weak and highly corrupt, and it faces financial catastrophe in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Tajikistan typically derives around 40 percent of its gross domestic product from labor remittances, primarily from Russia, but this dramatically declined as many laborers were forced to return home amid the pandemic. The population is predominantly Sunni Muslim—around 86 percent—while Shi’a Muslims, mostly located in the mountainous east, account for roughly 4 percent. The remaining 10 percent includes Russian Orthodox, Protestants, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhists, Jews, Baha’is, and Zoroastrians.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Moderate
Very High
3.8
0
53.00
1.88
3
2
Discrimination
Tanzania
TZ
High
Moderate
6.5
12
3
2.91
2
1
Stable
Thailand
TH
High
High
5.6
13
3
50.07
3.44
3
2
Stable
Timor-Leste
TL
Low
Low
8.3
3
3.46
Togo
TG
Low
Low
7.6
3
3.73
2
2
Stable
Tonga
TO
Low
Low
4
68.88
Stable
Trinidad and Tobago
TT
Low
Low
8.9
24
4
96.13
2
1
Stable
Tunisia
TN
High
High
Very High
6.0
86
3
79.66
2.85
3
3
Stable
Turkey
TR
“The U.S. government estimates that Turkey’s population is approximately 82.5 million, of which 99.8 percent is Muslim; an estimated 77.5 percent majority adheres to Sunni Islam. Between 10 million and 25 million people identify as Alevi, a community that the government largely refuses to differentiate from majority Sunni Muslims. The remaining 0.2 percent comprises atheists, Armenian Apostolics, Baha’is, Bulgarian Orthodox, Chaldean Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Protestants, Roman Catholics, Russian Orthodox, Syriac Catholics, Syriac Orthodox, Yazidis, and other religious communities.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
High
Very High
4.2
71
2
31.32
1.96
3
3
Discrimination
Turkmenistan
TM
“Turkmenistan is a highly authoritarian country under the rule of President Berdymukhamedov since 2007, enforcing a cult of personality that proliferates his image in golden monuments and fawning official coverage. The 2016 Constitution removed the presidential age limit and Berdymukhamedov was “reelected” in 2017 with 97 percent of the vote. Sources report that the government is extremely concerned about the possibility of mass unrest amid a crippling economic decline, and it is rapidly implementing an “anti-terrorist plan” that includes the installation of facial recognition cameras and “smart city” technology in public places, including small businesses. The government typically charges its critics with terrorism, targeting their families and friends if it cannot extradite them from abroad.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
Very High
Moderate
Very High
0
5.00
0.74
3
3
Persecution
Tuvalu
TV
Low
Moderate
4
84.88
Stable
Uganda
UG
Moderate
Moderate
6.9
16
3
76.05
3.25
2
2
Stable
Ukraine
UA
High
High
6.2
46
3
63.64
3.02
3
2
Discrimination
United Arab Emirates
AE
High
Low
5.6
80
1
17.90
3.11
3
3
Stable
United Kingdom
GB
Moderate
High
7.4
11
4
96.83
3.80
2
2
Stable
United States of America
US
Moderate
Moderate
8.0
10
4
97.12
3.74
1
1
Stable
Uruguay
UY
Low
Low
8.7
33
4
97.13
1
0
Stable
Uzbekistan
UZ
“The U.S. government estimates that roughly 88 percent of Uzbekistan’s population identifies as Muslim, while Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that between 93 and 94 percent of the population is Muslim. The majority of Muslims in Uzbekistan are Sunni, while approximately 1 percent are Shi’a. Around 3.5 percent of the population is Russian Orthodox, and the remaining 3 percent comprises atheists, Baha’is, Buddhists, Catholics, members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, and Protestants.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Special Watch List
Very High
Moderate
Very High
0
44.15
2.54
3
3
Persecution
Vanuatu
VU
Low
Low
4
1
0
Stable
Venezuela
VE
Moderate
Low
6.7
30
3
80.94
2.99
2
2
Stable
Vietnam
VN
“Vietnam’s constitution permits citizens to “folany religion or folnone” and mandates respect and protection for religious freedom. However, it also authorizes authorities to override human rights, including religious freedom, for reasons of “national security, social order and security, social morality, and community well-being.” The country’s Law on Belief and Religion, which went into effect in January 2018, requires religious communities to formally register their organizations, activities, and places of worship. It allows only religious organizations that have operated for at least five years to apply for registration, and it grants registered organizations status as legal entities.” Read more on USCIRF’s 2021 Report…
Country of Particular Concern
High
Moderate
Very High
5.3
6
1
37.66
2.05
3
3
Discrimination
Yemen
YE
Very High
High
Extreme
88
1
12.38
0.12
3
3
Persecution
Zambia
ZM
Moderate
Low
7.3
3
3.24
2
1
Stable
Zimbabwe
ZW
Moderate
Low
7.3
3
82.39
3.67
2
1
Stable
Country
USCIRF
Pew—Government Restrictions Index
Pew—Social Hostilities Index
Open Doors—Level of Christian Persecution
Cato—Human Freedom Index
ADL Global—100 Survey
Freedom House—Freedom of Expression and Belief
World Index of Moral Freedom
Varieties of Democracy Index
ARDA Religious Regulation Index
ARDA Religious Minority Discrimination Index
Aid to the Church in Need Report
Country:
ISO Code:
Flag:
Summary:
USCIRF:
USCIRF Source:
Pew—Government Restrictions Index:
Pew—GRI Source:
Pew—Social Hostilities Index:
Pew—SHI Source:
Open Doors—Level of Christian Persecution:
Open—Doors Source:
Cato—Human Freedom Index:
Cato—Source:
ADL Global—100 Survey:
ADL—Source:
Freedom House—Freedom of Expression and Belief:
Freedom House—Source:
World Index of Moral Freedom:
World Index Source:
Varieties of Democracy Index:
Varieties of Democracy Source:
ARDA Religious Regulation Index:
RRI Source:
ARDA Religious Minority Discrimination Index:
ARDA Religious Minoritiy Discrimination Index Source:
