More than 220 million Christians worldwide face direct persecution, according to a new report by the Catholic organization Aid to Churches in Need (ACN). The study found that conditions worsened in 55% of the 18 countries examined between 2024 and 2026, with no improvement in the country.
The report documents murders, attacks on churches, destruction of Christian villages, kidnappings, forced conversions of women and girls and mass displacement, particularly in Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan and parts of the Middle East and Asia. An estimated 413 million Christians live in countries with serious violations of religious freedom.
Separately, the Pew Research Center found that Christians faced religious harassment in 165 countries in 2023, more than any other religious group, including verbal abuse, discrimination, physical attacks and killing.