Since 2013, the number of people across the region identifying as “not religious” has risen from 8% to 13%

A large number of Arabs have abandoned religious belief in the past six years, according to a poll demonstrating that the political turmoil and war have had clear social effects.

The loss of faith, albeit from a high level before, was particularly marked in the young.

Researchers asked the residents of ten countries and the Palestinian territories whether they identified as “non-religious”. The number who agreed rose from 8 per cent in 2012-13 to 13 per cent, and 18 per cent among those under the 30. There was also a loss of trust in religious leaders and political parties.

The effect was particularly marked in “Arab Spring” countries — three of the four biggest rises in non-believers took place in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

This