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CV NEWS FEED // Open Doors, an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians, will release its 2025 World Watch List (WWL) Jan. 15, per an email press release.
This annual report ranks the 50 countries where Christians face the harshest persecution. Since its inception in 1993, the WWL has shed light on the escalating severity of global Christian persecution, with more than 78 nations now classified as having high or extreme levels of oppression, compared with fewer than 40 when the list began.
“While the numbers and rankings only partially tell the story, they do help draw the world’s attention to the 380 million believers who are suffering for their faith,” Open Doors CEO Ryan Brown said in the press release.
He highlighted the value of the WWL as an opportunity for Christians worldwide to pray and support their persecuted brothers and sisters. The WWL not only identifies trends in persecution but also shares stories of resilience and faith.
The 2024 WWL, reflecting persecution in 2023, provided a sobering picture of the threats faced by Christians worldwide. More than 365 million Christians — one in seven believers globally — suffered high levels of persecution and discrimination last year. The report highlighted the increasing role of Islamic extremism, authoritarian regimes, and cultural hostilities in targeting Christians.
The report identified the 10 most dangerous countries for Christians:
- North Korea: For more than 20 years, North Korea has been ranked as the most dangerous country for Christians. Believers discovered practicing their faith are either executed or sent to labor camps, with entire families often targeted. Despite the danger, an underground church of approximately 350,000 to 400,000 believers continues to operate.
- Somalia: Christians in Somalia, especially converts from Islam, are hunted by extremist groups like al-Shabab and face deadly violence from their families and communities. Despite the risks, Somali Christians remain steadfast in their faith.
- Libya: Conversion to Christianity in Libya is seen as a betrayal, with believers facing imprisonment or death. Evangelism is strictly prohibited, and the few Christian communities that exist operate in secrecy.
- Eritrea: Known as the “North Korea of Africa,” Eritrea persecutes Christians who stray from state-recognized denominations. More than 1,000 Christians are believed to be indefinitely detained in harsh conditions, yet the underground church continues to grow.
- Yemen: Yemeni Christians are forced to practice their faith in secrecy due to the extreme dangers posed by Islamic law and societal hostility. Many live in isolation, unable to gather for worship or even reveal their faith to their families.
- Nigeria: With a Christian killed every two hours on average, Nigeria accounts for more martyrs than any other country. Christians, particularly in the Muslim-majority north, endure relentless attacks from Islamic extremists and armed bandits, leaving communities displaced and traumatized.
- Pakistan: Christians in Pakistan face systemic discrimination, violence, and false accusations under blasphemy laws. They are treated as second-class citizens and subjected to degrading conditions in their daily lives.
- Sudan: The ongoing conflict in Sudan has devastated Christian communities, with 165 churches destroyed and many Christians displaced. Converts from Islam face immense persecution, even from their families.
- Iran: Conversion to Christianity in Iran is considered a “crime against national security,” with converts facing imprisonment and harassment. Despite this, the underground church continues to grow.
- Afghanistan: The Taliban’s return to power has pushed Afghanistan’s already persecuted Christian community deeper underground. Converts from Islam face certain death if discovered, with no space for religious freedom in society or governance.
As the release of the 2025 WWL approaches, Open Doors continues to call on the global church to unite in prayer, advocacy, and support for persecuted Christians, emphasizing the resilience and unwavering faith of believers who remain steadfast in the face of relentless persecution.
