North Korea tops list as worst country for Christian persecution
The Open Doors organisation has published the World Watch List, identifying North Korea as the most challenging country for Christians to reside in. Last year, Nigeria witnessed the highest number of murders involving Christians. The report covers 50 countries where persecution is most severe.
According to Open Doors, over 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 situation 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 - 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 signify an improvement in their situation.
India ranks 11th on the list, with the highest number of Christian arrests – more than 2,300 out of 4,100 worldwide. In Nicaragua, persecution increased, and Syria and Saudi Arabia reached "extreme levels."
The report also highlights 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 frequent. In 2023, the army intervened 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 assault on 20 communities.
