The Problem

Each year the World Watch List reveals some depressingly dark facts. This year is no different. But behind the facts are also signs of hope. Read the points below to get the full picture.

What you need to know

• More than 200 million believers in the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian experience high levels of persecution because of their faith
• Over 3,000 Christians have been killed for their faith in the 2018 reporting period, more than twice as many as in the previous reporting period.
• Each of the top 11 World Watch List countries are now classed as places of extreme persecution – this is more countries than ever before in 26 years of the World Watch List

North Korea is number one again, but only just: For the 17th consecutive year North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. But, tragically, other countries are catching up: only three persecution points separate the top three countries – North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Hindu and Buddhist Nationalism is sweeping across Asia: The rise in Hindu nationalism in India has spilled over into Nepal, which has leapt into the list at number 25. Buddhist nationalism drives much of the persecution in Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar.

Islamic State is on the move: As it is driven from Syria and Iraq, the so-called Islamic State (IS) has sought new homes. In the Middle East IS fighters have sought refuge in Turkey, Egypt and Libya. But IS support is also rising in Bangladesh. In the Philippines an IS-inspired group took over the city of Marawi, especially targeting the Christians.

Radical Islam is taking root in Africa: While violent jihadists continue to attack Christians in places like Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria, many Muslim majority countries are legitimising more radical models of Islam. The result is that believers in places like Sudan, Somalia and Tunisia have virtually no space to express their faith.

Women are easy targets: Gender-based violence continues to be a weapon of choice among Christian persecutors. Rape, abduction and forced marriage are frighteningly common in places like Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, CAR and even Kenya and India.

Christians are caught in the crossfire of the Islamic Sunni-Shia conflict: The under-reported conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims is driving the fighting in places like Yemen and Iraq. But where Sunnis and Shias are fighting each other, the Christians suffer. They are easy targets, hated by both sides.