Global Persecution of Christians Surges in 2024
Violent religious persecution continues to increase around the world, with North Korea topping the annual World Watch List produced by Open Doors, which ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme brutality. The intensity of cruelty has significantly increased this year, with approximately 380 million Christians (1 in 7) worldwide now experiencing high levels of persecution for their faith (an increase of 15 million in just one year).
[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]
[ Read the SemperVerus article of Bible verses from the book of Romans that quickly and simply present the Good News that is life through faith in Jesus Christ ]
Murdered for their faith were 4,476 Christians, Open Doors said in the report covering events in 2024.
Amid tightening restrictions and brutal crackdowns, North Korea continues to top Open Doors’ World Watch List as the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian, where an estimated 400,000 believers practice their faith in complete secrecy or face imprisonment, torture, or death.
The top 40 countries persecuting Christians:
2. Somalia
3. Yemen
4. Libya
5. Sudan
6. Eritrea
7. Nigeria
8. Pakistan
9. Iran
10. Afghanistan
12. Saudi Arabia
13. Myanmar
14. Mali
15. China
16. Maldives
17. Iraq
18. Syria
19. Algeria
20. Burkina Faso
22. Laos
23. Mauritania
24. Bangladesh
25. Uzbekistan
26. Cuba
27. Central African Republic
28. Niger
29. Turkmenistan
30. Nicaragua
32. Oman
33. Ethiopia
34. Tunisia
35. Congo DR (DRC)
36. Bhutan
37. Mozambique
38. Kazakhstan
39. Tajikistan
40. Egypt
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Latest Biblical Archaeology Research ]
Key findings from the 2025 World Watch List include:
– Digital technology has led to increased restrictions and surveillance of religious activities worldwide.
– A rise in violent attacks against Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa, and civil wars in places like Yemen and Myanmar have created lawlessness that has given rise to anti-Christian violence.
– Pressure on converts from Islam to Christianity is growing across the Middle East and North Africa.
– The Lakurawa is a new terrorist group with advanced weapons and a radical Islamic agenda rising in northwest Nigeria.
– Blasphemy laws in Pakistan target Christians and sexual violence is increasing against girls.
– Christianity is considered a threat to national security in Iran and punished with lengthy prison sentences.
– Often called the “North Korea of Africa,” Eritrea is noted for house raids and mass Christian arrests.
– Practicing faith openly as a Christian is impossible in Afghanistan.
[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of SPIRITUAL FITNESS ]
Invite SemperVerus® to present its 5 life-changing success-generating components—prepare, aware, be, know, do—to your organization to inspire and motivate your members.
Join the SemperVerus Brotherhood™!