Independent Christian life remains almost completely prohibited. Current religious-freedom reporting continues to describe organized religion outside state control as exceptionally dangerous, while Open Doors records the maximum pressure level across private, family, community, national, and church life.

Unchanged — #1 to #1

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported in May that al-Shabaab continued expanding its influence and directing violence against converts to Christianity as well as dissenting Muslims. Open Doors records extreme pressure across Christian private, family, community, national, and church life.

Unchanged — #2 to #2

Human Rights Watch reported in February that Houthi authorities had arbitrarily detained more than 20 Christians, many without acknowledged whereabouts or meaningful contact with relatives. Open Doors separately describes an indigenous church made up largely of converts required to practice their faith in secrecy.

Unchanged — #3 to #3

Sudan’s war harms people across religious communities, but Christian-specific concerns also remain documented. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported in September that churches have been deliberately attacked or used during military operations and described arrests of converts, church-property seizures, and renewed influence from Islamist actors. Open Doors gives Sudan the maximum violence score in its 2026 framework.

Unchanged — #4 to #4

Eritrea’s position reflects entrenched national repression rather than one new October event. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reports that the government permits only four recognized religious groups and continues to imprison Christians and other religious believers. Open Doors reports continued raids on house churches and closure of unregistered communities.

Unchanged — #5 to #5

Syria’s transitional leaders have publicly promised protection and inclusion for religious minorities. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported in May, however, that transitional institutions had not yet established reliable rule-of-law protection and that both state and nonstate actors had committed sectarian violence affecting Christians and other communities. Islamic State-linked violence remains an additional threat to houses of worship and worshipers.

Unchanged — #6 to #6

Open Doors gives Nigeria the maximum violence score and reports severe killings, kidnappings, attacks on churches and villages, and displacement affecting Christians, particularly in northern and central areas.

Unchanged — #7 to #7

Iran and Pakistan remain exceptionally close. Open Doors gives both countries the same overall annual persecution score, but Iran’s restrictions are especially severe in national and church life, particularly for converts from Islam and Persian-speaking evangelical Christians.

The arrest of 54 Christians often mentioned in reporting on Iran is not used to justify this October movement because the original Article18 report places that episode in 2025.

Rose — #9 to #8

Christians are generally able to attend churches and practice their faith, but blasphemy allegations can lead to arrest, lengthy detention, or mob violence. Current United Kingdom government country information records at least nine Pakistani Christians reportedly serving death or life sentences for blasphemy and another nine held on blasphemy charges. Converts from Islam face substantially greater risk.

Fell — #8 to #9

Open Doors describes Afghan Christians as living almost entirely underground and records extreme pressure across family, church, national, and community life. In September, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported that the Taliban’s new 2026 criminal code identifies only Sunni Muslims as citizens while Christians and other religious minorities continue to face severe restrictions on religious practice.

Entered the Top Ten — previously the closest near-miss