Persecution trends for 2026 predicted

Release International’s Persecution Trends Report has been released for 2026, detailing serious concern for believers in various countries, particularly across Africa and Asia.

The report is based on first-hand accounts from Release partners across the globe. Several of the countries which feature prominently are predictable, following much difficulty for Christians within them throughout the last year.

The report marks Nigeria as one of the places of deepest concern, with partners suggesting the number of Christians killed could double this year, even after the death of over 7,000 in the first 220 days of last year.

Concerning Asia, partners expect persecution trends to be similar to 2025, but are particularly concerned for believers in perilous nations where discrimination is fuelled by Christianity’s growth; increasing conversions in India are fuelling militant Hindus, while the same trend can be seen in Iran, where a partner has said the authorities are targeting converts, leaders and ministry workers, partly due to the regime’s well-documented hostility towards Christianity, but also driven by frustration towards “disillusioned” Muslims becoming Christians.

Persecution also continues to increase in Afghanistan, with the Taliban monitoring communities to ensure Islam is followed strictly, as well as in Algeria, with many church leaders having left the country during 2025 as the authorities tightened their grip on the church.

Conditions also remain difficult in China, with one partner claiming that “the Chinese government is trying to eradicate the church”, with persecution “at its worst since the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s,” as well as in North Korea, where authorities also believe Christianity to be a threat to their sovereignty.

Closer to home, the report also highlighted the intolerance towards any form of opposition, including from religious sources within areas occupied by Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime. Partners believe this will only intensify as warfare continues in Ukraine, with Ukrainian believers likely to be pressurised to denounce their faith.

Release CEO Paul Robinson said: “‘The message of this report is clear and needs to be heard. While we are always encouraged when we hear of the perseverance of suffering Christians, we should also be persistent in prayer, that God will keep them faithful to Christ and the gospel.”