Persecution of Christians is on the rise globally, with 380 million experiencing discrimination and violence due to their faith, according to a recent report from Open Doors US. This is an increase from 365 million reported last year in the “World Watch List.”
The “2025 World Watch List,” released on January 15, shows that 1 in 7 believers worldwide face severe persecution, with no end in sight. Open Doors US CEO remarked that these issues are increasingly concerning. North Korea remains the most difficult place for Christians, ranking first on the list.
“We observed changes in violence indicators this year, which continue to escalate the situation,” he stated. “For the past 32 years, North Korea has consistently ranked at the top.” The 2025 “World Watch List” details the growing persecution in North Korea under Kim Jong Un.
“If your Christian faith is discovered, you risk immediate execution or deportation to a brutal labor camp that few survive,” the report warns.“The Kim regime strictly controls people’s behavior and beliefs. Reports allege that 30 teenagers were killed for watching a South Korean drama, demonstrating the extreme measures taken against dissent.
Any allegiance outside the state, including expressions of Christianity, is harshly punished. Possessing a Bible or engaging in Christian worship can lead to severe consequences, such as a life sentence in deplorable work camps or, in some cases, a death sentence.”
China, where persecution is also intense, has also moved up the “World Watch List,” ranking 15th on the 2025 ranking as the most difficult nation for believers; it was previously in the 19th spot. The growth of the Christian church in China has been centered on small house churches and unregistered houses of worship.
“The Chinese government has made a very intentional and deliberate effort to stamp out many of those unregistered churches,” he said. “For those churches that are registered, there is a lot of control that the state is looking to exert, looking for your pledges to the Communist Party there.”
Another nation making waves in the persecution sphere is Nigeria. In this African country, radical Islamists are continuously killing innocent Christians.“Nigeria serves as a key example of a troubling pattern across Africa,” he noted.
“Persecution is influenced by the broader societal context, and in unstable environments, power vacuums emerge. Unfortunately, Islamic militants often take advantage of these vacuums, leaving Christians as primary victims, facing persecution or having their rights ignored.” More Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria this past year than anywhere else in the world,” he stated.
However, he pointed out that Indonesia has shown improvement by falling off this year’s ‘World Watch List.’ “The score has decreased by several points, which is encouraging, particularly due to reduced violence. Officials there seem to be actively addressing these issues.”
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
TOP 50 Countries in order where following Jesus cost the most:
1 NORTH KOREA
2 SOMALIA
3 YEMEN
4 LIBYA
5 SUDAN
6 ERITREA
7 NIGERIA
8 PAKISTAN
9 IRAN
10 AFGHANISTAN
11 INDIA
12 SAUDI ARABIA
13 MYANMAR
14 MALI
15 CHINA
16 MALDIVES
17 IRAQ
18 SYRIA
19 ALGERIA
20 BURKINA FASO
21 MOROCCO
22 LAOS
23 MAURITANIA
24 BANGLADESH
25 UZBEKISTAN
26 CUBA
27 CAR (Central
African Republic)
28 NIGER
29 TURKMENISTAN
30 NICARAGUA
31 MEXICO
32 OMAN
33 ETHIOPIA
34 TUNISIA
35 DRC (Democratic
Republic of the Congo)
36 BHUTAN
37 MOZAMBIQUE
38 KAZAKHSTAN
39 TAJIKISTAN
40 EGYPT
41 QATAR
42 COMOROS
43 CAMEROON
44 VIETNAM
45 TÜRKIYE
46 COLOMBIA
47 KYRGYZSTAN
48 BRUNEI
49 CHAD
50 JORDAN
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
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