World Watch List 2023

Experience the 2023 launch of Open Door’s 2023 World Watch List, featuring interim CEO Lisa Pearce - with Wybo Nicolai, architect and founder of the list and Open Doors West Africa Director, Suleiman.   


Discover the horrifying growth of persecution of Christians over the last 30 years. Hear what are the big findings of this year’s report. And discover the courageous faith of the persecuted church that will inspire you and cause your faith to grow. 

The World Watch List is Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians suffer very high or extreme levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Explore the 2023 list below.

Order your free digital Top 10 or Top 50 Guide
Request a free World Watch list in the mail
Download the top 50 map
Download the Advocacy Report

☰ Ranking
×

  • Leader
  • No. of Christians
  • Main Religion
  • Government
Persecution Level
  • Violence
  • Private Life
  • Family Life
  • Community Life
  • National Life
  • Church Life
View full profile
Country
Persecution Source
Region
Main Religion
1    North Korea
Communist and post-Communist oppression Asia Agnosticism
2    Somalia
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
3    Yemen
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
4    Eritrea
Dictatorial paranoia Africa Islam
5    Libya
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
6    Nigeria
Islamic oppression Africa Christianity
7    Pakistan
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
8    Iran
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
9    Afghanistan
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
10    Sudan
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
11    India
Religious nationalism Asia Hinduism
12    Syria
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
13    Saudi Arabia
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
14    Myanmar
Religious nationalism Asia Buddhism
15    Maldives
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
16    China
Communist and post-Communist oppression Asia Agnosticism
17    Mali
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
18    Iraq
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
19    Algeria
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
20    Mauritania
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
21    Uzbekistan
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
22    Colombia
Organized corruption and crime Latin America Christianity
23    Burkina Faso
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
24    Central African Republic
Islamic oppression Africa Christianity
25    Vietnam
Communist and post - Communist oppression Asia Buddhism
26    Turkmenistan
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
27    Cuba
Dictatorial paranoia Latin America Christianity
28    Niger
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
29    Morocco
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
30    Bangladesh
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
31    Laos
Communist and post-Communist oppression Asia Buddhism
32    Mozambique
Islamic oppression Africa Christianity
33    Indonesia
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
34    Qatar
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
35    Egypt
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
36    Tunisia
Islamic oppression Africa Islam
37    Congo DR (DRC)
Islamic Oppression Africa Christianity
38    Mexico
Organized corruption and crime Latin America Christianity
39    Ethiopia
Christian denominational protectionism Africa Christianity
40    Bhutan
Religious nationalism Asia Buddhism
41    Turkey
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
42    Comoros
Islamic Oppression Africa Islam
43    Malaysia
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
44    Tajikistan
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
45    Cameroon
Islamic oppression Africa Christianity
46    Brunei
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
47    Oman
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
48    Kazakhstan
Dictatorial paranoia Asia Islam
49    Jordan
Islamic oppression Asia Islam
50    Nicaragua
Dictatorial paranoia Latin America Christianity
subscribe
Subscribe for our Courageous Faith email to get stories from the field and hear how you can make an impact for persecuted Christians.
 


Sign up