317 million Christians worldwide face ‘very high or extreme’ persecution in 2024

In all, 317 million Christians face “very high or extreme” levels of persecution in 2024, according to the annual Open Doors World Watch List.

The top five countries where Christian persecution is considered extreme are 1) North Korea, 2) Somalia, 3) Libya, 4) Eritrea, and 5) Yemen. View the entire list of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution here.

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In 2023, 4,998 Christians died for their faith, 14,755 churches and Christian properties were attacked, and 4,125 Christians were detained, according to Open Doors. Worldwide, one in seven Christians are persecuted, including one in five in Africa and two in five in Asia.

For more information on each country, stories, suggested prayers, and ways to stand with your persecuted church family in prayer and action, visit www.opendoors.org. Additionally, the website features detailed dossiers with in-depth information about what it means to follow Jesus in the most dangerous places in the world. A downloadable list to share with church small groups is available here.