pen Doors International released its 2023 World Watch List (WWL) in January. This annual list, which is now in its 30 year, shows the top 50 countries where Christians experience the worst persecution for their faith, and creates awareness of the hardships that persecuted Christians face every day. In this worldwide survey, the overall trend shows that the persecution of Christians has risen at an alarming rate all over the world, especially in Africa. This year records the highest levels of persecution since the first list was published 30 years ago, and in recent years has plotted a steady increase. Today, more Christians are murdered for their faith than at any time in the last 30 years. The WWL found that more than 360 million Christians suffer extreme or very high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith – a rise of 20 million since two years ago. Some of the biggest concerns on this year’s list are the violence against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa that has reached new heights, the increased persecution and digital control in China threatening the Church, worsening conditions for the Church in Latin America, and the continued pressure on the Church in the Middle East.
