Human rights advocates: Over 380 million Christians persecuted worldwide

Persecution level ranking of Christians on the world map. Photo: opendoors.org

At the beginning of 2025, Open Doors updated its World Watch List (WWL) on Christian persecution. Human rights advocates are particularly concerned about the persistently high level of persecution in North Korea and Somalia, as well as a sharp increase in persecution in Central Asia, according to the Open Doors website.

The report notes that Christians in North Korea face execution or imprisonment in labor camps if their faith is discovered. However, despite targeted persecution, about 400,000 believers in North Korea continue to bear witness to Christ’s love.

The persecution index in neighboring Kazakhstan rose by three points, with only four other countries showing a greater increase.

“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,” the WWL report highlights.

A total of 380 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide, compared to 365 million in the previous year.

“While the numbers and rankings only tell part of the story, they help draw the world’s attention to 380 million believers suffering for their faith,” said Open Doors US CEO Ryan Brown in a statement.

Africa continues to see a persistently high level of Christian persecution. The continent is home to more Christians than any other. According to the report, persecution of Christians in Africa has intensified.

Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth for Christians. Of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during the reporting period, 3,100 were in Nigeria, according to the WWL.

In Nigeria’s north-central region, where Christians are more concentrated than in the northeast and northwest, Islamic extremists from the Fulani tribe attack farming communities, killing hundreds of people, primarily Christians.

Christians in the Middle East are being driven underground. Christian isolation and the decline of churches was a recurring pattern in several countries, including Afghanistan, which ranks 10th on the list. The Taliban enforces strict interpretations of Islamic law, where converting from Islam to Christianity is punishable by death. Christians also face punishment or fear being killed by their families, clans, or tribes if they renounce Islam.

Human rights advocates have called on the global community to address the issue of Christian persecution and make religious freedom a priority.

The leader of Open Doors stated that Christian persecution is being used to create instability in many of the places documented in the report. He believes that freedom should be “part of the conversation” in efforts to achieve peace and stability.

Previously, the UOJ reported that at least 11 Christians were killed in Nigeria on Christmas Day.

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