More than 388 million Christians around the world are living under conditions of high or extreme persecution and religious discrimination, according to the World Watch List 2026, an annual report released by the international human rights organization Open Doors.

The figure represents an increase of eight million compared with the previous year and marks the highest level recorded since the monitoring began. In the 50 countries identified as having the most severe situations, approximately 315 million Christians experience what the report describes as “very high” or “extreme” pressure because of their faith.

Covering the period from October 2024 to September 2025, the report documents the killing of 4,849 Christians worldwide due to their religious beliefs. More than 70 percent of these deaths—3,490 people—occurred in Nigeria, which Open Doors describes as the global epicenter of violence against Christians. The organization notes a continued rise in religiously motivated attacks across sub-Saharan Africa, driven by weak state institutions and the activity of armed groups.

Beyond lethal violence, the report highlights growing pressure on Christian leaders, including in parts of Latin America, as well as systematic persecution of converts from other religions. Such persecution ranges from family abuse and social exclusion to arrest and criminal prosecution. The report also draws attention to the closure of churches and bans on Christian worship imposed by authorities in several countries in North Africa and Asia.

North Korea once again tops the ranking of countries where Christians face the greatest danger. Other countries classified as having an “extreme” level of persecution include Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Syria rose sharply in the rankings—from 18th to 6th place—reflecting increased violence amid the ongoing conflict.

Open Doors emphasizes that the figures do not represent the number of Christians directly attacked, but rather the number living in environments where religious freedom is systematically violated. The organization has published the World Watch List annually since 1993, basing its findings on dozens of indicators and an extensive network of regional experts.