It is estimated that, as of 2020, between 260 million and 310 million Christians are suffering very high to severe levels of persecution around the world. This figure was released in January by David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA. He released such information during a presentation in Washington D.C. as part of Open Doors USA’s annual World Watch List (WWL) report. This report is part of the organisation’s initiative in bringing to light the issue of Christian persecution all over the world.
Mr. Curry, in his report, also highlighted figures of great specificity, with eight (8) Christians reportedly being killed every day, 182 Church and Christian buildings being attacked every week, and 309 Christians being imprisoned for their faith every month. He also highlighted, in his report, the top 50 countries with the highest level of Christian persecution. Asian countries continue to dominate the list, taking 32 spots in the lists and, most notably, 6 spots in the top 10 (we will classify the Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia and South East Asia as “Asia” collectively). African nations, specifically Northern, Eastern and Central African nations, take up 17 spots. Colombia is unique in that it is the sole Latin American, non-African and non-Asian country on the list.
Here is the list of the top 50 countries with the highest levels of Christian persecution. Please note that this list was developed from statistics taken between the period of November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019.
#50 Niger
Score: 60/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#49 Indonesia
Score: 60/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#48 Cameroon
Score: 60/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#47 United Arab Emirates
Score: 60/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#46 Russian Federation
Score: 60/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#45 Bhutan
Score: 61/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#44 Kenya
Score: 61/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#43 Kuwait
Score: 62/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#42 Oman
Score: 62/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#41 Colombia
Score: 62/100
Region: South America
Primary Source of Persecution: Organised Crime and Corruption
#40 Malaysia
Score: 62/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#39 Ethiopia
Score: 63/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#38 Bangladesh
Score: 63/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#37 Brunei
Score: 63/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#36 Turkey
Score: 63/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#35 Kazakhstan
Score: 64/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#34 Tunisia
Score: 64/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#33 Jordan
Score: 64/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#32 Nepal
Score: 64/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#31 Tajikistan
Score: 65/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#30 Sri Lanka
Score: 65/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#29 Mali
Score: 66/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#28 Burkina Faso
Score: 66/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#27 Qatar
Score: 66/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#26 Morocco
Score: 66/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#25 Central African Republic
Score: 68/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#24 Mauritania
Score: 68/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#23 China
Score: 70/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression
#22 Turkmenistan
Score: 70/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#21 Vietnam
Score: 72/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression
#20 Laos
Score: 72/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression
#19 Myanmar
Score: 73/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#18 Uzbekistan
Score: 73/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Dictatorial Paranoia
#17 Algeria
Score: 73/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#16 Egypt
Score: 76/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#15 Iraq
Score: 76/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#14 Maldives
Score: 78/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#13 Saudi Arabia
Score: 79/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#12 Nigeria
Score: 80/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#11 Syria
Score: 82/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#10 India
Score: 83/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Religious Nationalism
#9 Iran
Score: 85/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#8 Yemen
Score: 85/100
Region: Middle East (Asia)
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#7 Sudan
Score: 85/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#6 Eritrea
Score: 87/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Christian Denominational Protectionism
#5 Pakistan
Score: 88/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#4 Libya
Score: 90/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#3 Somalia
Score: 92/100
Region: Africa
Primary Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression
#2 Afghanistan
Score: 93/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Ethnic Antagonism
And the number one spot on the list (being the country with the highest level of Christian persecution, for the 18th time since 2002) was taken by:
#1 North Korea
Score: 94/100
Region: Asia
Primary Source of Persecution: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression
The numbers are indeed alarming and must bring a sense of awakening among us as believers, especially among Believers who are living in Christian-accepting and Christian dominant countries and societies. We must continue to pray and support, where we can, the Christians and Missionaries that are living and working in these areas, vigorously preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sources of Assistance
Christianity Today Magazine – https://www.christianitytoday.com/
Open Doors USA – https://www.opendoorsusa.org/
If you will like more information on the specific details of the report on each country, check out Open Doors USA’s full comprehensive report by clicking the following link: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/
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