RBM rights and Secularization

There is a negative correlation between SCL and the promotion of RBM rights. These rights are promoted more in countries with a low level of SCL than in those with a high level. Among countries with an above-average level of SCL, only Sweden and Spain have a higher degree of promotion than the P-index average. Conversely, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Croatia have a higher-than-average degree of promotion despite having a low level of SCL.

The three graphics provide the following indications.

Graphic 1 (P-index). There is a negative correlation between SCL and the promotion of RBM rights, which are promoted more in countries with a low level of SCL than in countries with a high level of SCL. Among countries with a level of SCL higher than average, only Sweden and Spain have a higher degree of promotion than the P-index average. In contrast, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Croatia have a higher than average degree of promotion despite having a low level of SCL.

Graphic 2 (E-index). High SCL is correlated with low differences in RBM legal treatment in two out of four countries, while three countries are equal to the EU average and two countries present high differences. A negative correlation exists between low SCL and a high difference in RBM treatment in five out of six countries. While the correlation between high SCL and a high degree of equal treatment is not proven, the correlation between low SCL and low equal treatment is evident. In conclusion, lower SCL is associated with greater differences, but higher SCL does not necessarily lead to fewer differences in RBM legal treatment.

Graphic 3 (G-index).  A negative correlation exists between SCL and gap between the rights of the majority and the rights of minorities in 10 out of 13 countries. Specifically, a high SCL level results in a small gap in four out of five countries, whereas a low SCL level results in a large gap in six out of seven countries. Austria's figures are equal to both the SCL and G-index averages.

Note. SCL is measured on the basis of the percentage of “nones” in each country. Data on 'nones' are taken from the Pew Research Center's "Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2020" report, which is available at https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/feature/religious-composition-by-country-2010-2020/. Cyprus is not considered here, since the Pew Research Center data covers both parts of the island jointly, whereas the Atlas data only covers the Republic of Cyprus. Estonia and Hungary are not included in the G-index because there is no majority religion. The relationship between SCL and RBM rights is discussed in more depth in the following article: S. Ferrari, R. Bottoni, C. Cianitto, A. Parrilli, A. Passarelli, I. Valenzi, Secularisation and Minority Rights—How Does Secularisation Affect the Rights of Religious and Belief Minorities?, in Religions, 17, 2026, 413

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