Syria broke into the top 10 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian for the first time in nearly a decade in Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List as more than 388 million Christians worldwide faced high levels of persecution or discrimination last year, Christian Daily International reported.
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“The intensity of persecution and discrimination continues to increase, with more than 388 million Christians worldwide, one in seven, facing high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith,” the World Watch List report stated. “This accounts for 8 million more people than last year.”
Facing at least high levels of persecution or discrimination for their faith are one in five Christians in Africa; two in five Christians in Asia; and one in 12 in Latin America.
Syria
With a surge of anti-Christian violence, Syria vaulted from No 18 in 2025 to No. 6 in the 2026 report released today (Jan. 14).
“It is the only newcomer to the top 10. The biggest reason was a sharp, 9-point increase in the score for violence,” the WWL report stated, noting that Syria’s violence score — with a maximum possible 16.7 — jumped from seven the prior year to 16.1 in this year’s report, which covers the period from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025.
Syria’s overall persecution score jumped from 78 to 90, its highest ever.
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“The 12-point jump is among the largest single-year increases registered by any country under the World Watch List methodology in place since 2014,” the report stated. “A surge of violence returns the country to the top 10, and the Christian population continues to diminish.”
In the absence of reliable statistics, Open Doors estimated about 300,000 Christians remain in Syria today, hundreds of thousands fewer than 10 years ago. Their dwindling number leaves them more vulnerable. Tribal affiliations that provide some measure of protection amid the absence of state-provided security is unavailable to many native Christians and nearly all converts.
“Throughout the country tribalism, intertwined with Islam, considers conversion from Islam to Christianity treason, leading to fierce opposition from families and local leaders,” the report noted.
At least 27 Syrian Christians were killed for their faith during the reporting period, but the report noted that the true number likely is greater.
Top 15 Worst
As in the prior year, the three countries where it was most difficult to be a Christian were North Korea, Somalia and Yemen in that order. In fourth place Sudan replaced Libya, which rose to No. 9.
Eritrea went from No. 6 to No. 5, and Nigeria remained the same as the prior year at No. 7. Pakistan remained at No. 8 and, with Libya at No. 9, Iran went from ninth place to No. 10.
Rounding out the worst 15 were Afghanistan at No. 11, India at No. 12, Saudi Arabia at No. 13, Myanmar at No. 14 and Mali at No. 15.
Related headlines:
Open Doors US releases 2026 World Watch List report: ‘Persecution is expanding’ -Christian Post
The 50 Countries Where It’s Most Dangerous for Christians in 2026 -Christianity Today
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Edward Ross and originally published by Christian Daily International.
