More Than 500 Million Christians Face Bible Access Restrictions Worldwide
News related to:Bible Access Initiative · 2 min read
More than 500 million Christians worldwide face restrictions on accessing the Bible, according to a new report from the Bible Access Initiative. The report, which evaluates 106 countries, highlights the complex issue of Bible access and shortages, revealing that persecution-related restrictions, socioeconomic barriers, and safe digital access limitations continue to put Scripture beyond reach despite increased availability.
The second annual Bible Access List, released by the Bible Access Initiative, a coalition of ministries committed to Bible accessibility, identifies the countries with the highest restrictions and shortages. The list combines data from two key categories: the Bible Restrictions List and the Bible Shortage List.
The Bible Restrictions List highlights where it is most difficult to access a Bible, combining persecution-related restrictions with socioeconomic barriers. The top five countries on this list are: 1. Afghanistan (up from No. 3 in 2025) 2. Yemen (no change since 2025) 3. Somalia (down from No. 1 in 2025) 4. North Korea (up from No. 6 in 2025) 5. Eritrea (no change since 2025)
The Bible Shortage List estimates how many Christians still want a Bible but don’t yet have one. The top five countries on this list are: 1. DR Congo (Shortage Range: >10 million) 2. Ethiopia (Shortage Range: >10 million) 3. Nigeria (Shortage Range: >10 million) 4. India (Shortage Range: >10 million) 5. Uganda (Shortage Range: 5-10 million)
The report notes that more than 500 million Christians face restrictions through government controls, extremist violence, and family and community pressure, with more than 250 million for whom access is very difficult. Additionally, more than 550 million Christians across 33 countries face severe socioeconomic barriers, including poverty, poor infrastructure, limited electricity, low literacy, and limited internet access. In these countries, an estimated 82 million Christians are without a Bible.
The report also highlights that digital availability does not guarantee access. More than 400 million Christians across 42 countries are estimated to live without internet access, while 277 million Christians across 48 countries live where accessing Scripture online is unsafe or restricted.
The annual assessment is more than a picture of the problem; it serves as a roadmap for showing where intentional, strategic action is needed. The Bible Access Initiative, led by five steering partners, aims to make Scripture accessible and available to every person, in every nation, regardless of religious background.