Christian population in Syria decreases by 80%, report says

Saint Ananias Chapel in Damascus, Syria. Photo: Regnum

In February 2026, Syria recorded a significant reduction in the Christian population of the country since the beginning of the civil war in 2011, according to a report by the UK Home Office.

According to the data provided, before the conflict began, Syria was home to approximately 2–2.5 million Christians, while currently their number is estimated at around 300–579 thousand people. The main reason for such a significant reduction is cited as mass migration amid the prolonged war.

It is noted that Syria's Christian population is represented by various denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant communities. A significant portion of believers live in Damascus and its surroundings, as well as in several other regions of the country.

The report indicates that despite government statements about security guarantees, Christians continue to face threats, including attacks, kidnappings, arson, and acts of vandalism. At the same time, some of these incidents may be related not only to religious affiliation but also to the general unstable situation.

After the change of power in 2024, concerns about their safety persist among Christians, despite measures taken to strengthen security. The document emphasizes that cases of violence are not widespread, however, individual attacks and manifestations of discrimination continue to be recorded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Nigeria, Islamists killed a pastor of an evangelical church.

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