Government harassment of Muslims most prevalent in Middle East-North Africa, Europe % of 'countries in region where government harassment of Muslims occurred
In addition to recording the biggest increase in government harassment and use of force against religious groups, Europe also had the second-largest overall share of countries (89%) that exhibited these types of actions. Only the Middle East-North Africa region (95%) had more governments that harassed or used force against religious groups. Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region had lower shares of government harassment or use of force against religious groups, although over seven-in-ten countries in each region had these types of government restrictions.
In total, 32 European governments (71%) specifically harassed Muslims during 2015, up from 27 governments (60%) the year before. The Middle East-North Africa region was the only region to have a larger share of countries that harassed Muslims (75%).
Government harassment of Muslims  | most prevalent in Middle East-North  | Africa, Europe  | % of 'countries in region where government  | harassment of Muslims occurred  | 75% Middle East North Africa  | 71 Europe  | 65%  | 60  | 56 Sub Saharan  | Africa  | 48 Asia Pacific  | 42  | 29  | 23 Americas  | 14  | 2015  | 2014  | Source: Pew Research Center analysis of extemal data  | See Methodology for details  | "Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015,  | Reversing Downward Trend"  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 