Worldwide: 2025 World Listing of Persecution


All around the world, thousands and thousands of Christians face persecution daily, starting from harassment and property destruction to loss of life and imprisonment. Open Doorways, a Christian group, launched its annual World Watch Listing detailing the worst persecution that Christians face and the nations which are essentially the most violent and harmful.

Open Doorways discovered that greater than 380 million Christians undergo excessive ranges of persecution and discrimination for his or her religion.

Within the prime 50 nations alone, 310 million Christians “face very excessive or excessive ranges” of persecution. Over 4,400 Christians had been killed due to their religion.

Nonetheless, even amid rampant persecution, the Lord continues to work by means of the Church and thru Christian ministries equivalent to Christian Freedom Worldwide, which aids persecuted Christians in harmful nations.

North Korea is the highest nation for excessive persecution. Christianity is prohibited by the federal government and Christians, and even individuals related to Christians, are punished as political traitors, despatched to labor camps, and face torture and execution. They can not publicly acknowledge their religion and are forbidden to depart the nation.

To be taught extra, learn CFI’s Truth Sheet on Christians in North Korea .

Find out about CFI’s work with North Koreans:

     Notes from the Underground Railroad

     Getting God’s Phrase to North Koreans

Nigeria ranks 7th on the World Watch Listing however first within the variety of Christians killed. Christians are attacked in shockingly brutal methods by Islamic militant teams who kill, notably males, and kidnap and sexually abuse ladies. Islamists destroy their houses, church buildings, and livelihoods. Christians within the northern states beneath Sharia legislation additionally face extreme discrimination and converts from Islam are rejected and threatened by their very own households. Tens of millions of Nigerian Christians have needed to flee to displacement camps.

Find out about CFI’s work in Nigeria in Assist for Survivors of Christmas Bloodbath

Myanmar ranks 13th on the checklist, the place Christians face violent persecution from their militant authorities. Converts to Christ face discrimination from their Buddhist, Muslim, or tribal communities. In 2024, the federal government introduced it could drive women and men to combat in its army, even in opposition to their very own communities. This prompted many Christians to flee the nation and search refuge in Thailand.

Study extra about CFI’s work to rescue and empower Christians from Burma in Breaking Chains.

Pakistan ranks 8th for persecution. Pakistani Christians face violent mob assaults, systemic discrimination, and focused authorities persecution. Muslim extremists, aided by authorities authorities, use blasphemy legal guidelines to abuse Christians. Authorities reserve “occupations which are deemed…degrading—equivalent to cleansing sewers or working in brick kilns” for Christians.  A rising variety of Christian women are kidnapped, forcibly transformed and forcibly ‘married’ to older Muslim males.

Find out about one in all CFI’s ministries in Pakistan in Hope for Pakistani Ladies

Christian converts in Bangladesh, 24th on the checklist, face extreme discrimination and vital stress from their communities to show away from Christ. Church buildings, converts, and believers who evangelize typically face threats and persecution. A violent rebellion overturned the federal government in 2024 and led to extremist assaults on church buildings and threats to Christians.

Find out about CFI’s safety of a threatened pastor in Bangladesh in Pastor Attacked and Church Members Threatened

Egypt is quantity 40 on the World Watch Listing, however Egyptian Christians nonetheless face excessive ranges of persecution from harassment, bullying, and violence. Some are even compelled to depart their communities by radical Muslims. Very like in Bangladesh, Christian converts in Egypt are additionally put beneath excessive stress from their households, communities, and even the federal government to show away from the Christian religion.

Find out about CFI’s work in Egypt in Why Do These Kids Have a Cross Tattoo?

 

Whereas Christians in these nations face horrific persecution, by means of the Lord’s grace, they’re persevering regardless of tribulations. Nigerian Rev. Andrew Okebe works with younger women and men victims of persecution and helps to counsel them by means of their trauma. His first-class of scholars graduated from the Treasure Heart, a restoration heart supported by CFI, in 2024.

He mentioned, “We thank God for the many individuals that God has touched to ship help. We’ll do way more because the Church helps this work. We simply began. That is the primary class to graduate by the grace of God. They’re excited and we’re rejoicing with what God is doing of their lives.”

Study concerning the inspiring work of the Treasure Heart.

Bear in mind to wish for Christians who’re being persecuted in addition to the organizations that the Lord is utilizing to assist them.

  • Pray that the Lord would strengthen and encourage Christians as they face persecution
  • Pray that the Lord would supply sources for the church buildings and ministries aiding persecuted Christians
  • Pray that persecuted Christians could be lights to their communities

 

Victoria Bonet is an intern with Christian Freedom Worldwide. She is at the moment an English main at North Greenville and has beforehand written for Lake Norman Citizen.