The evangelical NGO Open Doors, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, revealed the latest figures from its World Watch List of Christian persecution. Presented by General Director François Haemerlin and Advocacy Director Guillaume Guennec, the 2025 figures report 78 countries where Christians face persecution, totaling 380 million individuals. This is “an increase in numbers,” as the 2024 report counted 365 million persecuted Christians.
Each country is scored out of 100. The higher the score, the greater the persecution. Between 61 and 80 points, persecution is considered “very high,” and beyond that, it is labeled “extreme.” Among the 50 most hostile countries toward Christians, the top thirteen have scores exceeding 81 points. Since 2002 (1), North Korea has held the top position. The 2021 “Law Against Reactionary Thought” reaffirmed the ban on the Bible. Belief in God is considered a betrayal of the state in a country founded on a personality cult.
Civil wars as catalysts for Christian persecution
The main changes noted in the 2025 report highlight the worsening situation for Christians in countries embroiled in civil wars. For instance, Yemen has risen to 3rd place. “The consolidation of Houthi power and the radicalization of society—aligned with Hamas since the October 7 terrorist attacks—has led to the targeting of Christians who no longer dare to gather in secret churches,” explained Guennec, who also noted discrimination in the distribution of humanitarian aid. Sudan (5th, +3 places), Myanmar (13th, +4 places), and Bangladesh (24th, +2 places) are also affected.
A new hub of Christian persecution has emerged in the “Central Asian authoritarian regimes,” a term used by Guennec. “Previously stable in recent years, countries like Tajikistan (+7 places), Kazakhstan (+9 places), and Kyrgyzstan (+14 places) have tightened restrictions against churches,” the advocacy director explained. He noted that in Kyrgyzstan, “two nuns were forced to sign a document acknowledging their ‘illegal missionary activity.’”
“Sub-Saharan Africa: The deadliest region for Christians”
Since 2015, sub-Saharan Africa, plagued by the spread of Islamist terrorist groups, has been “the deadliest region for Christians.” Of the 4,476 Christians killed in 2024 (2), 3,100 were in Nigeria. During the “Black Christmas” of 2023, 300 Christians were killed to shouts of “Death to infidels” and “Allahu Akbar,” recounted Ayuba Matawa, a pastor for 32 years in the Bokkos region, present at the index presentation.
“Fulani extremists [a Muslim pastoralist population present in this region of the country, Ed.] burned alive a pastor, his pregnant wife, and their five children,” he recounted. Pastor Matawa says he is seeking “support” to “pressure the Nigerian government [and] ensure justice for the victims.” This year, Christmas 2024 was more “peaceful” thanks to the mobilization of “government security forces.”
(1) Except for 2022, when it ranked 2nd.(2) During the study period for the 2025 Index (from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024).
