The 2026 World Watch List

Worldwide, more than 388 million Christ-followers face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus.

The World Watch List is your source for current information and prayer points about the top 50 countries where faith costs the most. It is the product of extensive desk and field research, independently audited by the International Institute of Religious Freedom, and is the most trusted source of information concerning persecuted Christians.

2026 ranking

Top 50 Countries - Most Persecuted Christians

Countries are ranked by the level of persecution and discrimination Christians face. Scores are out of 100 — the higher the score, the more severe the persecution.

Extreme (90–100)

Very High (80–89)

High (65–79)

Free resource

World Watch List
Prayer Guide

The World Watch List is more than just facts and figures — it represents
real people, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are boldly following
Him in places where faith costs the most.

The World Watch List Prayer Guide is designed to help you learn about
and pray for Christians in the top 50 countries.

Download your free copy by filling out the form and you'll get a copy of
the prayer guide in your inbox so you can start praying today!

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Watch the 2026 World Watch List release event!

Prayer, analysis, and the reveal of the top 50 countries on the 2026 World Watch List.

Each of these "persecution spheres" is given a score out of 16 2/3, adding up to a total score out of 100: the higher the number, the worse the Christian persecution. To see each country's persecution score and learn about how you can pray, download your World Watch List prayer guide above.

Methodology of the World Watch List

The key areas in measuring Christian persecution

Private Life

This sphere measures the extent to which freedom is restricted when relating to God one-on-one in one’s own private space. Persecution in this sphere could restrict private worship, possession of religious material, or freedom of expression.

Family Life

This sphere measures the extent to which freedom has been restricted to live out Christian convictions within the family circle. Persecution in this sphere could involve forced allocations of religious identity, weddings, baptisms, burials, adoptions, child rearing, separation of families, pressure to divorce, or inheritance rights.

Community Life

This sphere examines persecution involving the workplace, business, health care, education, local public life and civic order. It could include dress codes, monitoring, abduction, restricted access to community resources and/or health care, and employment or education discrimination or disadvantages.

National Life

This sphere examines the interaction between Christians and the nation they live in, including rights and laws, the justice system and public life. Persecution in this sphere could include blasphemy accusations, unequal treatment in court, toleration of public disrespect, travel restrictions, or discrimination by authorities.

Church Life

This sphere examines the collective exercise by Christians of worship, service and public expression of faith without undue interference. Persecution could involve requiring church registration, monitoring preaching material, harassment of leaders and their families, or restricting the printing or distribution of religious materials.

Violence

Violence is defined as the deprivation of physical freedom or as serious bodily or mental harm to Christians or serious damage to their property and can occur in all spheres of life. has context menu

So What?

Why the world Watch List matters

1. It shows us where God is at work

As a ministry, we don't exist to end persecution. The reality is, wherever the Gospel is being shared, persecution exists. Instead, we work to strengthen the Church to continue sharing the message of Jesus. The World Watch List shows us where persecution is on the rise, how God is at work and where the Gospel is advancing.

2. It is trustworthy

For almost 30 years, Open Doors has produced the World Watch List, compiled by a group of eight full-time persecution analysts, all experts in their field of study. The list is audited externally by the International Institute for Religious Freedom, and is accepted as the most authoritative list of its kind.

3. It impacts the church in Canada

Our two-fold mission is to strengthen Christians living under persecution, and to mobilize the Canadian Church to identify with the global body of Christ. Your support helps our persecuted family around the world to be the light of Jesus in their communities. And as their stories make their way into our churches, Bible studies and homes, we become bolder in our faith.

4. It affects the work we do

Open Doors works to strengthen the persecuted church to withstand Christian persecution and to continue sharing the Gospel in their nation. As persecution in each country changes, we are able to adapt and to fine-tune how we can best serve the persecuted church.

5. It impacts you

The World Watch List reminds us we shouldn’t be trying to avoid persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Instead, we should be prepared to stand firm in courageous obedience, committed to standing with our persecuted family through prayer and encouragement.