Pew studies and analyzes issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs by conducting surveys, demographic analyses, and other research about the practice of religion and its place in American life.
Recent work includes a major portrait of Jews in America and interviews with 38,000 Muslims around the globe to provide a more complete understanding of the beliefs and political views of members of the world’s second- largest religion.
Recent Work
October 15, 2021
Methodology
The American Trends Panel survey methodology Overview The American Trends Panel (ATP), created by Pew Research Center, is a nationally representative panel of randomly selected U.S. adults. Panelists participate via self-administered web surveys. Panelists who do not have internet access at home are provided with a tablet and wireless internet connection. Interviews are conducted in […]
October 15, 2021
Most Americans Who Go to Religious Services Say They Would Trust Their Clergy’s Advice on COVID-19 Vaccines
Most U.S. adults who regularly attend religious services voice confidence in their clergy to provide guidance on the coronavirus vaccine.
October 15, 2021
Acknowledgments
This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Find related reports online at pewresearch.org/religion. Primary Researchers Justin Nortey, Research Assistant Claire Gecewicz, Research Associate Research Team Gregory A. Smith, Associate Director, Research Alan Cooperman, Director of Religion Research Becka A. Alper, Senior Researcher Joshua Alvarado, Research Assistant […]
September 30, 2021
2. Harassment of religious groups reaches new peak in 2019
The number of countries and territories where religious groups experienced harassment by governments and social groups reached 190 (out of 198 analyzed) in 2019, a higher number than in any other year of the study. This figure is up from 185 in 2018. The harassment measured in the study includes a wide variety of actions […]
September 30, 2021
Methodology
This is the 12th time Pew Research Center has measured restrictions on religion around the globe.66 This report, which includes data for the year ending Dec. 31, 2019, generally follows the same methodology as previous reports. Pew Research Center uses two 10-point indexes – the Government Restrictions Index (GRI) and the Social Hostilities Index (SHI) – […]
September 30, 2021
Globally, Social Hostilities Related to Religion Decline in 2019, While Government Restrictions Remain at Highest Levels
Social hostilities involving religion, including violence and harassment against religious groups by private individuals and groups, declined in 2019, according to Pew Research Center’s 12th annual study of global restrictions on religion, which examines 198 countries and territories.
September 30, 2021
3. Median index scores for government restrictions, social hostilities involving religion declined or remained stable in most regions in 2019
Government restrictions by region In 2019, the median Government Restrictions Index (GRI) score of the 198 countries and territories in this study remained stable at 2.9, staying at its highest level since Pew Research Center began tracking these measures in 2007 (see Overview). The median score on the index decreased in three of the five […]
September 30, 2021
1. In 2019, decline in number of countries with ‘very high’ government restrictions, social hostilities involving religion
Countries with the most extensive government restrictions on religion Government restrictions on religion vary from country to country, and some countries have much higher scores on the Government Restrictions Index (GRI) than others. While all 198 countries and territories included in this study had at least some restrictions on religious activity in 2019, those with higher […]
