Open Doors’ World Watch List 2021 is now live

Discover the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution for following Jesus - and how you can pray for and support them.

340 million Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith. That’s 30 million more than last year – and the levels of persecution are getting worse too. That’s the headline from the launch of the Open Doors World Watch List 2021 – and on the website you can see more about the 50 countries where following Jesus costs the most.

It’s the 20th year in a row that North Korea has been at the top of the list – a country where there is no religious freedom, and being discovered to be a Christian is a death sentence. Afghanistan and Somalia remain closely behind – and persecution is getting worse in Nigeria, which is now in the top 10 (up from number 12 last year).

Despite all the opposition, discrimination, violence and rejection that our brothers and sisters face, the church is also still growing! We know that God is still in control – that He listens to His children and is ‘near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth’ (Psalm 145:18).

Thank you for all you do to support your persecuted family – and please do keep praying for them, and speaking out about injustice wherever you are able to.