Key Takeaways
- In 2024, 365 million Christians experience high levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide.
- North Korea tops the World Watch List 2024 with a score of 94/100 for Christian persecution severity.
- In Nigeria, 4,118 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons in the past year as of 2024.
- Globally, 84% of the world's population lives under religious restrictions in 2021.
- 52 countries have 'high' or 'very high' government restrictions on religion as of 2021.
- Social hostilities involving religion peaked in 150 countries in 2021.
- In India, 50 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh 2023 amid protests.
- Pakistan: 200 Ahmadi Muslims killed or arrested for blasphemy 2023.
- China: 1 million Tibetan Buddhists in re-education camps since 2017.
- In 2023, antisemitic incidents worldwide reached 10,000, up 60% from 2022.
- US: 8,873 antisemitic incidents in 2023, highest ever recorded.
- France: 1,676 antisemitic acts in 2023, including 74 violent attacks.
- In 2019, Uyghur Muslims numbered 1-2 million detained in Chinese internment camps.
- In India, 2023 saw 300 attacks on Muslims by Hindu nationalists.
- Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims: 25,000 killed, 700,000 displaced since 2017.
In 2024, 365 million Christians faced severe persecution worldwide, with North Korea and Somalia worst.
Christian Persecution
Christian Persecution Interpretation
Global Statistics
Global Statistics Interpretation
Hindu and Other Asian Religions
Hindu and Other Asian Religions Interpretation
Jewish Persecution
Jewish Persecution Interpretation
Muslim Persecution
Muslim Persecution Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Religious Persecution Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/religious-persecution-statistics
Catherine Wu. "Religious Persecution Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/religious-persecution-statistics.
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Religious Persecution Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/religious-persecution-statistics.
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