North Korea tops list for severe Christian persecution
The Open Doors organization has published the World Watch List, highlighting that North Korea is the toughest country for Christians to reside in. Last year, the highest number of Christian murders occurred in Nigeria. The report covers 50 countries where persecution is most severe.
According to Open Doors, more than 380 million Christians in 78 countries experience persecution and discrimination. In the 50 countries on the list, persecution reaches a "very high or extreme level," affecting approximately 310 million Christians.
The top ten countries with the worst situations include North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Tragic statistics
Last year, nearly 5,000 Christians were murdered, with 4,118 in Nigeria. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 261 Christians were killed. Nigeria also had the highest number of Christian kidnappings, with 3,300 out of 3,906 cases worldwide.
In Afghanistan, persecution decreased, but life for Christians did not become safer. The Taliban stopped actively searching for them, but this does not indicate an improvement in the situation.
India ranks 11th on the list, with the highest number of Christian arrests - over 2,300 out of 4,100 worldwide. In Nicaragua, persecution intensified, and Syria and Saudi Arabia have reached "extreme levels."
The report also notes over 14,000 attacks on churches and places of worship worldwide.
Nearly half of Nigeria's population are Christians
The statistics are particularly alarming as Nigeria has a population of about 229 million people, with approximately 106 million being Christians.
Attacks on Christian farmers in Plateau State are particularly common. In 2023, the military had to intervene to restore order. Christian homes were looted and then set on fire. On Christmas Eve 2023, there was a brutal attack on churches in northern Nigeria. At that time, at least 140 Christians were killed in a massive attack on 20 communities.
