The World Watch List uses data from Open Doors fieldworkers and independent experts to track the

deep structures
of persecution. It measures the degree of freedom a Christian has to live out their faith in five spheres of life—private,
family, community, national and church life—plus a sixth sphere measuring the degree of violence.

T he data is translated into points and countries are ranked accordingly. The list is independently audited by the
International Institute for Religious Freedom.

28

45 16 1
19
19 22
31
30 15 2 43
36 8 10
21 25 33
48
42 7 17 34 40 5
39 27 11
12 24
47 46 41 20
37
4 6 9
50 18
14 29 3
35 44 26
49 23
32
38
13

Extreme Persecution Very High Persecution High Persecution

The 50 countries where 1 North Korea

2 Afghanistan
11 India

12 Saudi Arabia
21 Jordan

22 Tajikistan
31 Turkey

32 Kenya
41 Bangladesh

42 Algeria
it is most dangerous to 3 Somalia 13 Maldives 23 Malaysia 33 Bhutan 43 China

follow Jesus: 4 Sudan 14 Nigeria 24 Myanmar 34 Kuwait 44 Sri Lanka

5 Pakistan 15 Syria 25 Nepal 35 Central African Republic 45 Azerbaijan

6 Eritrea 16 Uzbekistan 26 Brunei 36 Palestinian Territories 46 Oman

7 Libya 17 Egypt 27 Qatar 37 Mali 47 Mauritania

8 Iraq 18 Vietnam 28 Kazakhstan 38 Indonesia 48 Bahrain

9 Yemen 19 Turkmenistan 29 Ethiopia 39 Mexico 49 Colombia

10 Iran 20 Laos 30 Tunisia 40 United Arab Emirates 50 Djibouti

WORLD WATCH LIST 2018 // RANKING METHODOLOGY

Pressure Violence
Degree of pressure in five Amount of violent incidents
spheres of Christian life against Christians and the Church

Church life Violence Max score = 16.7

National life
Max score
Community life per sphere
Family life
= 16.7 North Korea Laos Sri Lanka
MAX MAX MAX
SCORE SCORE SCORE
“What happens when God is “We don’t have any words to “Not many organizations
Private life = 83.3 = 16.7 = 100 changing the country from say except thank you. When focus on those holding
the inside out? The forces my husband was in prison, ministry positions in areas
of darkness will resist. you prayed for us and helped of persecution, but Open
The Persecution of Christians If you look with human eyes, us. You remembered us.” Doors has blessed us by
then your prayers made the making us a priority.
situation worse. But if you Thank you from the bottom
look with spiritual eyes, you of my heart.”
should be joyful.”

A CHRISTIAN FIELDWORKER JIK*, THE WIFE OF A PASTOR IN LAOS PASTOR DINESH,

OpenDoorsUSA.org/WWL * Representative names and photos used for security WHO SERVERS IN NORTH KOREA WHO WAS UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED A CHRISTIAN IN SRI LANKA