The state of Christian persecution globally

WORLD – In January, Open Doors released its annual World Watch List, which ranks the fifty countries where it is most dangerous to practice Christianity.

“Worldwide, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith,” the report states, further noting that “approximately 1 in every 7 Christians around the world is persecuted because of their faith.” According to Open Doors, 2023 saw 5,621 Christians killed because of their faith; 2,110 churches and other Christian buildings attacked; 4,542 Christians arrested and imprisoned; and 5,259 Christians abducted. These figures, of course, represent only reported incidents, with the real totals likely to be significantly higher.

North Korea remains the most dangerous country on earth to be a Christian, a position it has held for more than twenty years. In this communist nation, those discovered to be Christian “are either sent to labour camps” in brutal conditions “or killed on the spot”—with their families sharing the same fate. Christians face persecution in other communist nations as well. In China (number 14 on the watch list), for example, Open Doors reports “tightening restrictions and increasing surveillance are putting Christians… under intensifying pressure.”

“approximately 1 in every 7 Christians around the world is persecuted because of their faith.”

Christians also continue to face severe oppression and limited freedoms in a number of majority-Muslim countries (14 of the top 20 countries on this year’s watch list are there at least in part because of “Islamic oppression”). In Somalia (number 2), for example, “imams in mosques and madrassas state publicly that there is no room for Christianity, Christians, or churches.” Christians who have converted from Islam “may be killed on the spot if discovered.” Likewise in Yemen (number 3), “strict Islamic laws and the presence of militant Islamic groups” make it dangerous to be discovered as Christian. Indeed, “it is illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity.”

Minority Christians face increasing persecution in countries with other religious majorities too—for example, from extremist Hindus in India (number 11) and extremist Buddhists in Myanmar (number 14). In other countries, like Eritrea (number 4), only certain Christian denominations are protected while those belonging to other groups face government persecution including “house-to-house raids” and indefinite imprisonment.

The year’s report from Open Doors marks the 30th anniversary since the publication of the first World Watch List. Despite the severe persecution facing many Christians around the world, Open Doors writes, “the persecuted church is not merely surviving, it is active and alive. In these 50 countries—and many more—Christians are daring to demonstrate the life-changing reality of the Kingdom of God. But the challenges faced by these believers are increasing day by day—and they need the support of the wider body of Christ to help them stand firm and be a light to their nations.”

For more information on the World Watch List, visit Open Door Canada’s website.

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