Morocco tops MENA in religiosity, but Indonesia leads globally, Pew research finds 

A recent Pew Research Centre report has placed Morocco among the most religious countries globally, with 90 per cent of Moroccans prioritising religion in their lives and over 70 per cent engaging in daily prayer.

The findings, published earlier this month and based on surveys conducted across 102 countries between 2008 and 2023, reveal the strong religious commitment within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Morocco leads the region in the importance of religion, followed closely by Palestine, Jordan and Iraq. However, in terms of daily prayer, Morocco ranks fourth in the region, the report said.

Where is the most religious place in the world? Asking people about the importance of religion in their lives and how often they pray can provide an important window into their religiosity. But these questions work better in some places than in others. https://t.co/8PMgFSoOqR

— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) August 16, 2024

Outside MENA, Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country records the highest religious adherence, with 98 per cent of its population prioritising religion and 95 per cent praying daily, followed by Senegal and Pakistan.

These findings are consistent with a previous survey by Statista, which also noted Morocco’s high levels of religiosity.

The report indicates that regions with the highest religiosity tend to be in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the MENA, while Europe and East Asia are among the least religious.

According to Morocco World News, the North African country’s deep religiosity is rooted in its historical role in spreading Islam and its active engagement in promoting moderate Islam through religious diplomacy, particularly after the 2003 Casablanca bombings. This includes the establishment of the Mohammed VI Institute for Training of Imams, which trains religious leaders from various countries, particularly in West Africa.

BOOK REVIEW: The Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power: How States Use Religion in Foreign Policy