According to Open Doors, a Christian persecution research organization, millions of Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide.
Persecution statistics
- In 2023, Open Doors estimated that 5,621 Christians were killed for their faith.
- On average, more than 13 Christians are killed each day for their faith.
- In 2024, Open Doors reported that 4,125 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned.
- In 2024, Open Doors reported that more than 3,200 Christians were raped, sexually harassed, or forced to marry non-Christians.
- In 2024, Open Doors reported that nearly 300,000 Christians were forced to leave their homes, go into hiding, or flee their country of origin.
North Korea 1
The violence score increased even more this year as North Korea re-established its hold on No. 1. Several groups of Christians were arrested and brought to labour camps. There is an even greater emphasis on ideological purity and any perceived or real outside threat is viciously purged.
China also stepped up its efforts to arrest and repatriate North Koreans, all of whom are regarded as illegal immigrants.
Yemen 3
Yemen moved up to third place on the World Watch List due to an increase in anti-Christian violence. Pressure on Christians also remained at the maximum. Within the context of civil war, Iran-backed Houthi rebels expanded their power, making more of the country increasingly dangerous for Christians. Coupled with further Islamic radicalization, this meant even secret house churches could no longer meet safely.
Kyrgyzstan 47
One of only two newcomers to this year’s top 50, Kyrgyzstan had the highest score increase on the list, making its first appearance since 2013. There was a sharp increase in violence against the church, many registered churches and Christian institutions were forced to close, and pressure on Christians increased in almost all spheres of life.
Civil wars and insurrection
Violent chaos continues to be a cover for persecution. In countries like Myanmar, Yemen and Sudan, civil wars have become breeding grounds for targeted attacks against Christians. In other places like CAR, DRC, Mali, Burkina Fasoand Niger, Islamist insurrections have created environments where Christians can be targeted with impunity, and where militants can attack and chase out communities of God’s people.
4,476 Christians killed
Though fewer Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria compared to last year, it remains disproportionately deadly for Christians, with 3,100 paying the ultimate price for their faith. Sadly, more Christians were killed outside Nigeria, many in sub-Saharan Africa countries like DRC, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger.
4,744 Christians detained or imprisoned
Christians continue to be detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned for following Jesus. In India alone, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial and another 547 were sentenced to prison. Believers were incarcerated for their faith in Eritrea, Bangladesh, Iran amongst others.
Trends
Violence takes shape around the world
Several countries on the World Watch List saw an increase in anti-Christian violence. While the contexts were different, either tightly controlled autocratic states, or countries that are unstable due to weak government or civil war, the result was the same: targeting of Christian communities, destruction of lives, homes and churches, and immense pressure on believers.
Continued violence across Sub-Saharan Africa
Multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen a rise in violence against Christians. Currently, 8 of the top 10 deadliest places for Christians are in Sub-Saharan Africa—and all of them (except Nigeria) have more faith-based killings than they did during the 2024 World Watch List reporting period.
Chronic government instability has created an environment where Christians can be targeted, and where Islamic militants can use the chaos as cover for their attacks on Christians.
Many Christians have been forced from their homes. Of 34.5 million displaced people across Sub-Saharan Africa, around 16.2 million are Christians.
The Open Doors Arise Africa campaign is a multi-year response to the overwhelming violence against Christians in the region. It relies on the prayers and support of Christians around the world to stand with the African church, to help it be salt and light amid extreme persecution.
The church is being driven out, or driven underground
Christians in the Middle East and more countries on the World Watch List, are being driven underground. Christian isolation and the decline of churches was a recurring pattern in several countries:
After more than a decade of war, disaster and relentless crisis, the church in Syria has diminished significantly. Emigration is actively changing what the church looks like—from an ancient, large minority population, to a much smaller, more endangered Christian community.
Following the Israeli-Hamas war that began in October 2023, Christian communities in Gaza and the West Bank have come to the brink of extinction. In Gaza, at least 33 Christians were killed, and most houses destroyed during the violence. Many Christian families have moved abroad or are trying to leave.
The church in Afghanistan is deeply underground, and since there are fewer visible expressions of Christianity, the Taliban authorities have nothing to crack down on.
All Protestant churches in Algeria have been forced to close, leaving none that can be targeted for closure.
In China, unregistered churches, once tolerated by the government, are now considered illegal as authorities enforce regulations. State-approved churches are under stronger ideological pressure and new laws send pastors into indoctrination sessions, where they are urged to preach accordingly. Smaller congregations are either forced to merge into a larger church that is easier to control, or to take their fellowships underground, into isolated home groups.