WORLD WATCH LIST 2015: COUNTRY PROFILES published by Open Doors

The Open Doors World Watch List highlights the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. These are the places where followers of Christ must keep their beliefs hidden and where living the gospel means facing beatings, imprisonment, discrimination and abuse.While North Korea remains the most difficult place in the world to be a Christian, persecution is growing most rapidly in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa. In the Middle East, Islamic State violence in Iraq and Syria has increased the pace of the exodus of the Christian population from the region and is also having a global impact.  Christians living in these countries need the support of their family, the body of Christ, to help them stand firm in their faith.

The countries are ranked in order – click on the country for further information.