Contrary to common belief, Christianity is the most persecuted religion
According to research from the Pew Research Center, Christians face government or societal harassment in more countries than any other group—reported in roughly 140 to 160+ countries in recent years.
Advocates and tracking organizations like Open Doors estimate that roughly 360–380 million Christians live in areas with high to extreme levels of persecution, particularly across parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. See Open Doors’ World Watch List map for the annual Top 50 ranking view this site builds on with country detail and ongoing sources.
After exploring the map, see what you can do: learn and share, contact representatives worldwide, and support organizations working with persecuted communities.
Open Doors World Watch List 2026 ranking map: opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries (© Open Doors International)