Red List - Global Christian Relief

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The 2026 red list

The world's most dangerous places to be a Christian

Explore the latest Christian persecution statistics and discover where Christians are being persecuted today.

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get the free report Get the Prayer GUide

What is the Red List? A report of the countries with the worst Christian persecution today.

The Red List is a data-driven analysis of Christian persecution worldwide, identifying the most dangerous places to be a Christian and highlighting countries that persecute Christians at the highest levels.

Rated on 5 categories of concern

Red zones are based on the latest verified number of killings, violence and intimidation, arrests and sentences, displacements, and abductions and assaults.

These Christian persecution statistics help answer the urgent question: where are Christians being persecuted most severely right now?

Praying Through the Red List

New this year, an accompanying guide for praying through the top areas of concern across the world.
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5 Worst Offenders countries with the highest rate of christian persecution

These are the countries that persecute Christians with the greatest intensity, where believers face high levels of persecution simply for practicing their faith.

Data for the Red List comes directly from the Violent Incidents Database, sponsored by Global Christian Relief, a groundbreaking collection of verified, up-to-date records on confirmed, real-world occurrences of Christian persecution.

Bonus Guide New this year – praying through the red list

After reading the latest report on Christian persecution in the Red List, you might wonder, what can I do about it?

We invite you to spend time in prayer for the specific concerns and lived realities in the countries covered in the Red List.

In many of these nations, Christians living under threat endure violence, discrimination, imprisonment, and displacement. Your prayers matter.

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Bonus forecast 5 Trends To Watch

Find out what trends are predicted to affect religious freedom internationally this year. Plus, 3 reasons for hope from leading research experts.

From escalating civil war in certain regions to growing anti Christian sentiment in others, this forecast helps you understand how global instability impacts believers.

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Bonus Content Stories and prayers from the persecuted church

Meet your brothers and sisters who demonstrate incredible courage in the face of adversity – and discover how you can pray for your persecuted family.

“We must be tried if we believe in Jesus. “Even though He came to this world, He was persecuted. That’s a message for us that we may face difficulty, but we can stand firm in Christ.””

-Safiratu, persecuted Christian who fled Boko Haram in Nigeria

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where faith costs the most

Explore persecution by country
Nigeria

Nigeria

The epicenter of Christian persecution where violent attacks, abductions, and church buildings are tragically common. In regions affected by extremist violence and civil war–like instability, Christians face relentless targeting.

India

India

Religious intolerance in India is often expressed in attacks on Christian property like homes and churches. In some states, rising nationalism has contributed to growing hostility toward Christians living openly as followers of Christ.

China

China

Advanced surveillance has led to more Christian arrests here than anywhere else in the world. Digital monitoring systems have intensified pressure on house churches and unregistered congregations.

North Korea

North Korea

North Korea remains one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. The North Korean regime considers Christianity a threat to state ideology. Believers risk imprisonment in brutal labor camps, execution, or punishment that extends to their families. Christian persecution statistics consistently rank North Korea among the worst offenders year after year.

Explore persecution by country

voices from the red list Sikhs in India wield swords to violently attack Christian pastor

The cuts in Pastor Kumar's palms reflect a broader pattern of violence against Christians in India’s Punjab region, where Sikhs form the majority. 

““When they were attacking me, only one thought remained: ‘Lord, your mercy is greater.'””

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FAQ learn more about the red list

What is the red list?

The all-new GCR Red List reveals the top 5 worst countries for Christian persecution across five categories of concern. Open the report now to see which countries report the most arrests and sentences, assaults and abductions, killings, displacements, and destruction of buildings. Plus, download the new accompanying prayer guide to find out exactly how you can pray for the concerns and believers in each country.

It is one of the most comprehensive resources available for understanding Christian persecution worldwide.

Why does the red list exist?

Many organizations, including Global Christian Relief, are working in tandem to advance the cause of religious freedom around the world. In keeping with this objective, GCR believes it's crucial to draw attention to the growing crisis of Christian persecution across the globe.

The 2025 GCR Red List is a first-of-its-kind report, which is based on quantitative data and verified incidences of Christian persecution as recorded in the Violent Incidents Database.

Sponsored by GCR, the Violent Incidents Database is a project of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF). The first and only events-based religious freedom dataset, the Violent Incidents Database tracks more than a dozen categories of religious violence around the world, allowing users to search by country, religion, perpetrator and more. Accessible to anyone, it is designed to support journalists, advocacy groups, government officials, policy makers and others who wish to advance the cause of religious freedom.

Who created the 2026 Red List?

The Red List is based on quantitative data, compiled by a team of leading experts in Christian persecution including scientists, researchers, and authors. The report is updated annually, and the current report covers verifiable data from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2025.

Data for the Red List comes from the Violent Incidents Database (VID), a service of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF). The VID is an events-based, open-source database that records publicly reported incidents involving violations of religious freedom worldwide and is updated as new information becomes available.

How are the categories of concern chosen?

The Violent Incidents Database currently tracks more than a dozen categories of religious violence taking place around the world. Our team of persecution experts reviews the data across all categories and then selects five of the most pressing concerns for inclusion in the annual Red List.

What sets the Red List apart?

The GCR Red List is a one-of-a-kind assessment based on quantitative data and verified incidences of Christian persecution as recorded in the Violent Incidents Database.

How often is the GCR Red list updated?

The GCR Red List is updated annually based on the latest data and findings from the Violent Incidents Database. Please come back and visit gcrelief.org/redlist for the latest information.

how you can help

Take a Stand for the Persecuted Church

pray for red list nations

pray for red list nations

Your prayers are a lifeline. Intercede for the most dangerous regions for Christians with prayer.

share the red list

share the red list

Raise awareness in your social circle about Christian persecution in these nations.

Give where it's needed most

Give where it's needed most

Support urgent needs from safe shelter to trauma recovery in these dangerous regions. Your generosity provides critical assistance to Christians living in countries that persecute Christians—offering hope amid violence, displacement, and anti Christian hostility.

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