The 50 most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian: List reveals the nations most likely to persecute religion's followers, with North Korea at the top

  • List ranks world countries according to amount of violence against Christians and pressure on religious life 
  • North Korea came out top for the 16th year running followed by Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Pakistan
  • Causes were radical Islam and governments using religious persecution to prop up their power, report said

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North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia are the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian, according to a new report. 

The list was put together by Christian organisation Open Doors which ranked world countries by violence against the religion's followers and pressure put on their daily lives.

Researchers found that 1 in 12 Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution, with repression by radical Islamic regimes being the main driver.

Other causes include weak governments using religious nationalism to prop up their power in places like India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, and the resurgence of Islam in central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

These are the 50 countries in the world where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, according to a study by organisation Open Doors which measured levels of violence against followers and pressures put on their daily lives 

These are the 50 countries in the world where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, according to a study by organisation Open Doors which measured levels of violence against followers and pressures put on their daily lives 

North Korea topped the list for the 16th year running thanks to the Kim regime's brutal repression of all religion. Christians form part of the third and lowest caste of North Korean society, and are actively discriminated against

North Korea topped the list for the 16th year running thanks to the Kim regime's brutal repression of all religion. Christians form part of the third and lowest caste of North Korean society, and are actively discriminated against

North Korea has topped Open Doors' list since 2002 thanks to the brutal repression of all religions, but especially Christians, by the Kim regime.

Not only are the Kim family leaders of the state, they are also the state religion, and worshipping any deity over them is considered treasonous. Neighbours and family members are encouraged to watch out for suspicious behaviour and report it.

Christians, along with Buddhists, form part of the lowest caste of North Korean society, meaning they are subject to constant observation and actively discriminated against when it comes to receiving jobs, getting into college, and being given supplies by the regime.

Afghanistan is Islamic by constitution, meaning that government officials, ethnic group leaders, religious officials and citizens are hostile toward adherents of any other religion, the report says.

As a result Christians are deprived of property and businesses while being subjected to beatings and are often killed for practicing their religion.

In Somalia, Islam is also the state religion and all Somalis are expected to follow the faith. Imams and madrasas have stated publicly that there is no room for Christianity in the country, the report says, while militant group al-Shabaab also threatens Christians with death.

During the time the report was being put together, researchers recorded 3,066 instances of Christians being killed 1,252 abductions; 1,020 cases of rape or sexual harassment; and 793 church attacks.

Somalia, which expects all citizens to be Muslim and is also home to the extremist al-Shabaab group, came in third

Somalia, which expects all citizens to be Muslim and is also home to the extremist al-Shabaab group, came in third

Researchers found 1 in 12 Christians face extreme repression and that female followers are some of the most targeted

Researchers found 1 in 12 Christians face extreme repression and that female followers are some of the most targeted

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