Religious persecution reached record levels worldwide in 2022, with Christians facing increasing hostility, according to a new Pew Research Center report. The study, “Government Restrictions on Religion Stayed at Peak Levels Globally in 2022,” analyzed government restrictions and social hostilities toward religion across 198 countries and territories, marking the 15th year of such research.

In 2022, “harassment of religious groups by governments or social actors occurred in 192 out of the world’s 198 countries and territories,” representing a new high for the study. Governments targeted religious groups in 186 countries, while social groups harassed them in 164 nations. Notably, “both governments and social groups or private individuals engaged in harassment” in 158 countries.

Christians were the most harassed group, facing persecution in 166 countries—a record high. Examples of harassment included the arrest of a man in Mauritania whose son brought Christian literature across the border, and attempts by militias in Iraq to seize Christian properties in historically Christian towns like Bartella.

Physical harassment, including property damage, detentions, displacements, assaults, and killings, occurred in 145 countries—up from 137 in 2021. Property damage was the most common form, affecting 61% of countries, while detentions and assaults occurred in 47% and 45% of countries, respectively.

The United States was among 110 countries where religious groups faced intimidation by government actors. In the U.S., religious groups experienced property damage and physical assaults, though no killings, displacements, or detentions were reported. Organized groups in the U.S. were also noted for using “force or coercion in an attempt to dominate public life with their perspective on religion.”

Muslims were harassed in 148 nations, a record high, while Jews faced harassment in 90 countries—a slight decline from previous years. Harassment against Hindus rose to 26 countries, Buddhists experienced harassment in 25 nations, and folk religions faced hostility in 49 countries—all marking record or near-record highs.

The report underscores the growing global challenge of protecting religious freedom and highlights the ongoing struggles faced by religious communities worldwide.