ACN report: 220 million Christians face severe persecution worldwide

Aid to the Church in Need's report for 2024–2026, published on 27 October, finds persecution of Christians worsened in 55% of the 18 countries examined and improved in none. It estimates more than 220 million Christians face the most severe persecution, with extremist violence in sub-Saharan Africa, state repression in China and North Korea, and displacement in Nigeria. Jesus warned that his followers would be hated and delivered up for his name's sake (Matthew 24:9); the report documents that pressure on faith across many regions and political systems.