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Map legend
Map animation
2016
2018
2021
2023
2025
Persecution
Discrimination
Under observation
Unclassified
Increased
Unchanged
Decreased

North Africa and Middle East

Population:
880,890,889
Surface in km²:
13,570,998

Religion freedom

Situation in countries: 6 / 22
Persecution
Situation in countries: 15 / 22
Discrimination
Situation in countries: 1 / 22
Under observation

Regional Religious Demography Landscape

Religions:
Population share for (2025)
Tendency
Previous share (2023)
Oldest share (2016)
Christians
Share for (2025):
2.6%
Tendency:
-0.2%
Previous share (2023):
2.8%
Oldest share (2016):
2.8%
Muslims
Share for (2025):
94.9%
Tendency:
+ 0.2%
Previous share (2023):
94.7%
Oldest share (2016):
94.8%
Buddhists
Share for (2025):
0.1%
Tendency:
-
Previous share (2023):
0.1%
Oldest share (2016):
0.1%
Hindus
Share for (2025):
0.6%
Tendency:
-
Previous share (2023):
0.6%
Oldest share (2016):
0.6%
Show + 6 more religions
Coutries in the region:
Religious freedom situation
Main factor
Main religion
Population
AF flag Afghanistan
Religious freedom situation:
Persecution
Factor:
  • Authoritarian government
  • Islamist extremism
Main religion:
99.9% Muslims
Population:
41454761
DZ flag Algeria
Religious freedom situation:
Discrimination
Factor:
  • Authoritarian government
Main religion:
98.1% Muslims
Population:
46164219
BH flag Bahrain
Religious freedom situation:
Discrimination
Factor:
  • Authoritarian government
Main religion:
82.4% Muslims
Population:
1577059
EG flag Egypt
Religious freedom situation:
Discrimination
Factor:
  • Authoritarian government
  • Islamist extremism
Main religion:
90.4% Muslims
Population:
114535772
Show + 18 more countries