A new international report has raised fresh concerns about the growing persecution of Christians worldwide, warning that millions of believers continue to face violence, discrimination and restrictions on their religious freedom. The report, Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for Their Faith 2024–2026, published by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), documents worsening conditions in several countries and highlights the challenges facing Christian communities across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
According to the report, persecution deteriorated in 55% of the 18 countries examined, with none recording an overall improvement during the period under review. Approximately 220 million Christians worldwide are directly exposed to severe persecution, while an estimated 413 million live in countries where serious violations of religious freedom occur. These figures highlight the scale of the problem and the vulnerability of believers living in regions affected by religious extremism and authoritarian rule.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the regions most affected by extremist violence. In countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Mozambique, Christian communities have endured killings, kidnappings, attacks on places of worship and forced displacement. In some areas, continuing insecurity has forced families to abandon their homes and livelihoods, creating uncertainty about the future of established Christian communities.
The report also draws attention to persecution in parts of Asia, where Christians face different forms of pressure, including government restrictions, discrimination and hostility driven by religious nationalism. In some countries, believers struggle to worship freely or practise their faith without fear of intimidation or punishment.
Beyond the immediate violence, displacement presents a significant challenge. When Christian families are forced to leave their homes, they may lose access to churches, schools, employment and the wider support networks that sustain their communities. Prolonged displacement can also weaken the historic Christian presence in regions where believers have lived for generations.
The findings have renewed calls for governments and international organisations to protect religious freedom and hold perpetrators of religiously motivated violence accountable. The report also stresses the importance of international awareness and solidarity with affected communities, warning against allowing the suffering of persecuted Christians to go unnoticed.
