Will you show love to your persecuted family from North Korea, and other countries where Christians face extreme persecution?

The countries where following Jesus costs the most

Find Out More

Over 340 million Christians are persecuted. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, we're bringing them hope and resources.

Get involved

Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus.
Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.

Give to those facing extreme persecution

Send the World Watch List report to your MP

Explore the World Watch List 2021

Free World Watch List resources

Did your MP attend the World Watch List launch?

World Watch List

Open Doors’ annual ranking of the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.

Levels of persecution:

Extreme
Very High
High

90,000

North Korean Christians were given emergency food and medicine through Chinese networks.

4,761

Christians were murdered for their faith last year.

283,000

Christians in Asia received vital Covid-19 food and aid, thanks to you.

340 million

Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith.

4,472

churches and Christian buildings were attacked last year.

View country profiles

2021 ranking

North Korea
Afghanistan
Somalia
Libya
Pakistan

Explore the list

Latest stories

Democratic Republic of Congo | January 22, 2021

DRC: More than 100 people killed in Islamic extremist attacks

Iraq | January 21, 2021

Christmas now an annual national holiday in Iraq

India | January 21, 2021

Pregnant woman loses child following attack by Hindu militants

China | January 19, 2021

Five Christians in China charged for distributing audio Bibles

Prayer and praise

Please pray

That all MPs who attended the World Watch List 2021 launch would be equipped and informed to tackle the issue of Christian persecution.

Give thanks

That Bakhit - an Egyptian Christian who was abducted four months ago - has been safely returned to his family.

Subscribe for our courageous faith email to get stories from the field and hear how you can make an impact for persecuted Christians.

Meet courageous Christians

These believers are bravely following Jesus despite enormous opposition, or raising support and awareness for the persecuted church. This is the worldwide family of Christians.

Simon North Korea

Brother Simon courageously works with North Korean Christians, through secret networks in China (name changed; image illustrative).
Meet Simon

Hajaratu Nigeria

Hajaratu was already widowed when she had to flee Fulani militants. Tragically, her young daughter drowned in the attempt to escape.
Meet Hajaratu

Jeremiah Nigeria

Pastor Jeremiah (name changed) helps look after the vulnerable believers in his northern Nigerian community. He is on the cover of this year’s Top 50 resource.
Explore the Top 50

Mojtaba Iran

Mojtaba spent many years in prison for his faith, including extended periods in solitary confinement. His faith sustained him through this persecution.
Meet Mojtaba

Peninah Kenya

Peninah’s husband was killed by al-Shabaab. Your support meant she got livelihood training that helped restore her hope for the future.
Meet Peninah

Rohan India

Rohan (name changed) and his community in India already suffered a great deal of persecution for their faith. Covid-19 made their struggles even harder.
Meet Rohan

Peter North Korea

Peter (name changed) is a courageous fieldworker supporting North Korean Christians who have managed to flee the country.
Meet Peter

Islèm North Africa

When Islèm (name changed) became a Christian, she thought she was the only one in her country. In many parts of North Africa, most believers have to keep their faith secret.
Meet Islèm