North Korea tops 2026 'World Watch List'

Lydia Houghton  |  World
Date posted:  14 Jan 2026
Share Add       
North Korea tops 2026 'World Watch List'

Kim Jong Un. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Christian charity Open Doors has released its 2026 World Watch List, and it's North Korea where believers are facing the most extreme persecution.

Worldwide, 4,849 Christians were murdered for their faith in Jesus in the last year; of these, 72 per cent were from Nigeria - that's more than the rest of the world combined.

Syria has jumped 12 places, the biggest riser in this year's list, and is now a place of "extreme persecution" for many of the country's Christians.

Share
< Previous article| World| Next article >
Read more articles on:   Eritrea  /  North Korea  /  Sudan  /  Yemen  /  persecuted church  /  somalia
Read more articles by Lydia Houghton >>
People
John Dunnett

John Dunnett

The Church of England Evangelical Council’s (CEEC’s) National Director John Dunnett has resigned his title of Honorary Canon in response …

Features
The enduring power of conferences in a digital age

The enduring power of conferences in a digital age

“I was watching footage of a music festival last night which was filmed back in 1995,” writes Phil Topham. “It …

Give a subscription

Our monthly newspaper is the perfect gift for those who love to think deeply

Give here

New here?

Register and get three free articles each month!

Register