Source: Open Doors USA, January 19, 2022
In 2021, even during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, persecution against Christians continued at an alarming rate around the globe. Research for the Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List—the most in-depth investigative research and report on Christian persecution available—shows that today, more than 360 million people face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. That’s an increase of 15 million believers in only one year.
That’s one in seven Christians, worldwide.
Below, we look at the top ten countries where persecution is highest. In many of these countries, life is already difficult, but making the decision to follow Jesus and live as a Christian is a choice that puts one’s life, family, and livelihood in jeopardy. In countries like Afghanistan, North Korea, and Somalia, faith in Jesus can be a death sentence. And in 2021, we saw a spike in violence, new technologies that threaten the faith of millions—and a new No. 1 for the first time in 20 years.
Read the full article or see the whole list of 50 countries and download a report. Watch a 3.5-minute video about the project, below.
Also see a free, 100-page prayer guide from Voice of the Martyrs.