For the first time, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place to be a Christian.
World
Watch List
Discover the most dangerous places to be a Christian.
Discover the most dangerous places to be a Christian.
What would your Christian life look like if you lived somewhere else? Would you be imprisoned for your faith, followed by secret police, or kidnapped by extremists?
The World Watch List reveals the 50 most dangerous countries to be a Christian. Produced annually by expert analysts, the World Watch List is the most authoritative of its kind.
Discover the places where believers are forced to choose between faith and freedom.
For the first time, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place to be a Christian.
You’ll get the latest news, stories and updates from the persecuted church.
Download and print your own copy of the World Watch List 2022 Map.
DOWNLOAD MAPOur expert researchers measure developing trends in Christian persecution each year from 1 November – 31 October through on-the-ground interviews and data collection. In over 70 countries, we uncover where the Church is most persecuted.
There are two main ways Christians experience persecution: violence and pressure.
Violence
Based on the number of violent incidents in the reporting period.
Pressure
Measured in five spheres of life: private, family, national, church, and community.
Each country receives a score based on a detailed report of violent incidents and the five spheres of pressure. These are added up to a score out of 100, creating each country’s rank on the World Watch List.
EXPLORE THE LISTAuthorities have ordered an Algerian church to cease worshipping immediately. The church of “Aouchiche” has a congregation of over 300…
A pastor has been found dead near his home following a series of threatening notes. Pastor Yalam Shankar had received…
An 83-year-old nun has been kidnapped by an armed group in the town of Yalgo. Suellen Tennyson, an American nun,…
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands fled. But life is still incredibly unsafe for these refugees who…
North Korea is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Following Jesus in a…
On Palm Sunday, 2021, two suicide bombers attacked worshippers leaving a church service, injuring 20 people. 21-year-old Valeria was one…
North Korean authorities have staged a massive sweep against underground Christians, a secret source recently shared. The raid happened while…
It has been over one month since Russia began their invasion of Ukraine. We recently spoke with Russian believer Olya…
A court in Sudan has ordered the partial demolition of a church in the country’s north. The court ruled that…
Shanthi* didn’t know that she would live much longer. Living in poverty and having to undergo serious surgery for her…
Four new believers were recently baptised at a Christian training camp run by local partners. The local partners conducted the…
Another Indian state is expected to pass anti-conversion laws. These laws are often used to target religious minorities, including Christians….
For almost 30 years, Open Doors has produced the World Watch List, compiled by persecution analysts. Each are experts in their field of study with postgraduate or doctoral qualifications.
The list is audited externally by the International Institute for Religious Freedom and is accepted as the most authoritative list of its kind.
1 in 7 Christians worldwide are persecuted for their faith.
More than 360 million Christians worldwide suffer very high or extreme levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
You can change the lives of persecuted believers in some of the most dangerous countries. Click here to get involved.
Our experts use nine broad categories to measure the source of persecution:
“If someone is willing to kill me for my faith, my God must be powerful.”
Sara*, Egypt