Religious Freedom in the World Report – 2014 - Religion

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(Period under review: October 2012 to June 2014)

Of the 196 countries in the world, 81 countries – or 41 per cent – are identified as places where religious freedom is impaired (classified as ‘high’ or ‘medium’) or is in decline.
A total of 35 countries – or 18 per cent – were classified as having some religious freedom issues that are ‘of concern’, but with no deterioration in their status.
The remaining 80 countries – or 41 per cent – indicated no concerns regarding religious freedom. The report found no regular or systemic religious freedom violations in these nations.
Where there has been a change concerning religious freedom, that change has almost always been for the worse. In the 196 countries analysed, change for the better is noted in only six countries. Deteriorating conditions are recorded in 55 countries (or 28 per cent).
Even in the six countries where some improvements have been noted, four – Iran, United Arab Emirates, Cuba and Qatar – remain cl...

Religious Freedom in the World Report – 2014