According to Open Doors, 388 million Christians are persecuted worldwide.

Omissions

• The 388 million figure refers to Christians experiencing 'high levels of persecution and discrimination' under Open Doors' specific methodology, not necessarily to legally convicted or imprisoned individuals; the figure is reported as 'more than 388 million'.
• The 4,849 deaths cover the World Watch List 2026 reporting period (roughly November 2024 to October 2025), which the MEP loosely describes as 'last year'.
• Open Doors is a Christian advocacy organization, and its methodology (which includes 'discrimination' alongside violent persecution) is debated; the figure is not an official UN or government statistic.

Sources

• PrimaryOpen Doors International — World Watch List 2026More than 388m Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. In Open Doors' World Watch List top 50 alone, 315m+ ... Christians murdered. 4,849. Christians detained. 4,712. Churches and Christian properties attacked. 3,632.
• SecondaryOpen Doors US — 5 Things You Need to Know About Open Doors' 2026 World Watch ListMore than 388 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. That's one in seven Christians, worldwide. ... During the 2026 World Watch List reporting period, Open Doors researchers counted 4,849 total deaths that happened due to Christian faith.
• SecondaryVatican News — Open Doors: Number of Christians persecuted worldwide rises to 388 millionThe number of Christians exposed to persecution and at risk of suffering violence worldwide rose by 8 million people compared to last year — to 388 million, according to the World Watch List 2026 released by Open Doors.
• SecondaryOpen Doors UK — World Watch List 2026More than 388 million Christians face persecution and discrimination because they follow Jesus. ... 4,849. Christians were murdered for their faith last year.