In 2024, 4,476 Christians were murdered around the globe because of their beliefs. Another 4,744 were imprisoned. Over 7,670 churches and Christian properties were attacked, too.

Those numbers are reported by Open Doors—a global ministry dedicated to serving persecuted believers—which has released its 2025 World Watch List. The annual report reveals the top 50 countries where Christians are most likely to face severe consequences for their faith, from the loss of homes and jobs to imprisonment and death.

According to Open Doors, more than 380 million Christians—one in seven—faced high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ in 2024. Over 310 million of those believers are represented in the World Watch List. One in five African believers are persecuted, while two in five Christians in Asia face oppression. By Open Doors’ estimates, 4,476 Christians were killed in 2024 and 4,744 were imprisoned. Over 7,670 churches and Christian properties were attacked, too.

Among the 10 worst persecutors of Christians, five were African countries: Somalia (2), Libya (4), Sudan (5), Eritrea (6) and Nigeria (7). Since 2000, Nigeria has seen the slaughter of an estimated 62,000 Christians at the hands of Islamist groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa Province and nomadic Fulani herdsmen, according to Genocide Watch. Observers are watching to see if the U.S. State Department re-designates Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”—a label that was removed in 2021.

Eight of the 10 countries where believers are most likely to die for their faith are in Sub-Saharan Africa, with terrorism and government instability responsible for the killings of many Christians.

Communist countries held many of the most notorious spots, with North Korea at number one again in 2025. In the Middle East, Yemen moved up to number three amidst an ongoing civil war that is increasing the threat of Islamist violence against the tiny Christian community. Muslim-dominant countries Yemen, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan made the top 10 worst persecutors of Christians.

While the vast majority of countries on the list are located in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, a few communist countries—and nations with unstable governments in Latin America—are also noted.

Franklin Graham regularly speaks out against the persecution of Christians, and both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse work to support suffering believers all across the globe. “Jesus told us the world hated [Him] first and they’re going to hate you,” Franklin said during opening remarks at the National Religious Broadcaster’s 2023 gathering. “If you stand for Christ, the world is going to hate you.”

Photo: Alamy