The number of Christians experiencing persecution worldwide has risen to an estimated 380 million in 2025, marking a 15-million increase from the previous year, according to the annual World Watch List released by Open Doors, a Christian anti-persecution watchdog.
North Korea retains its position as the most dangerous country for Christians, followed closely by Somalia and Yemen. Central Asia remains a region of concern, with China, a nation of approximately 1.41 billion people, ranking 15th on the list.
Open Doors CEO Henrietta Blyth expressed concern about the growing threat to religious freedom, particularly in countries with strong international trade ties, such as China. She urged governments to consider religious persecution when forming alliances. “We want the question of freedom of religion or belief to be one of the perspectives they think about,” Blyth said, emphasizing the need for faith and religion to be included in vulnerability assessments.
The report also highlights the increasing use of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to suppress religious activities. In China, facial recognition technology is being deployed to monitor church attendance, with mandatory use in state-sanctioned churches. Noncompliance often results in raids or closures. Such systems have been reportedly exported to other nations, including Iran, which ranks 9th on the list.
For the first time in over a decade, Kyrgyzstan entered the top 50 most dangerous countries for Christians, ranking 47th. Incidents of violence and harassment were reported, including stone-throwing at a Christian organization in Karakul and armed raids on worship gatherings.
Conflict continues to be a significant driver of persecution in regions such as Nigeria, ranked 7th, where Christian communities face attacks by armed militants. Despite Christians making up nearly half of the population, villages and churches are frequently targeted, with men killed and women taken hostage.
Syria, ranking 18th, presents a complex situation as Christians cautiously observe the new governance under HTS rebels. Despite years of hardship, some church leaders have expressed hope for peaceful coexistence.
Throughout these challenges, Blyth highlighted the resilience and unwavering faith of persecuted Christians. “There’s so much we can learn from the persecuted church about clinging to Jesus, standing strong, remaining faithful, and praying for the people who persecute us,” she noted.
As the global Christian community reflects on these findings, the call to pray and advocate for those facing persecution remains critical. Open Doors continues to rally support for believers enduring hardships in these high-risk regions.
