15 Countries Where Christianity Is Illegal or Severely Restricted in 2025

Hi, I’m Kojo Enoch – a traveler and storyteller who’s explored cultures across the globe. One thing I’ve learned on my journeys is that freedom of religion is something many of us take for granted. While some countries proudly celebrate religious diversity, others strictly control or outright ban certain faiths, including Christianity.

In this post, we’re diving into the countries where Christianity is either completely illegal or heavily suppressed. Readers should note that this article isn’t meant to attack any culture or belief system. The goal is to understand the reality of religious persecution around the world and how it impacts millions of Christians today.

Understanding the Landscape of Religious Suppression

Before we list the countries, it’s important to define what we mean by “illegal” and “suppressed”.

• Illegal: Christianity is banned by law, and owning a Bible, gathering for prayer, or identifying as Christian can result in arrest, torture, or death.
• Suppressed: Christianity is not outlawed outright, but Christians face harsh restrictions, government surveillance, harassment, or severe social consequences.

These laws and pressures often exist in the name of the following:

• preserving national identity
• maintaining religious homogeneity
• ensuring political control

Now let’s look at specific countries where Christianity is either illegal or significantly restricted.

1. North Korea

Christianity is absolutely forbidden in North Korea. The government, ruled by the Kim dynasty, promotes a personality cult centered around its leaders. Any religious activity is viewed as a threat to state ideology. Being caught with a Bible or attending a secret church can result in execution or life imprisonment in brutal labor camps.

Most Christians in North Korea worship in secret, and it’s estimated that tens of thousands have been imprisoned for their faith. This is perhaps the most extreme case of Christian suppression in the modern world.

2. Afghanistan

Since the return of the Taliban in 2021, Afghanistan has become one of the most dangerous places for Christians. Apostasy (which is basically converting from Islam to another religion) is considered a crime punishable by death in this country.

Christianity is not officially recognized. There are no churches in Afghanistan as of the writing of this post. Also, almost all Afghan Christians live in hiding. Even suspicion of being Christian can lead to beatings, arrest, or something even worse. It should be noted that even foreign Christian aid workers have also faced deadly attacks in the past.

3. Somalia

Somalia is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, and Islam is the official state religion. Christianity is viewed as a foreign religion and a threat to Somali identity. Conversion is illegal, and Christians face the constant risk of targeted violence from both extremist groups like al-Shabaab and even family members.

There are no public churches here, and believers often have no other choice than to flee the country to seek safety elsewhere. It’s one of the hardest places in the world to follow Christ.

4. Iran

 

In Iran, Christianity is recognized only for ethnic Armenians and Assyrians who have historically practiced the faith. For ethnic Persians, converting from Islam to Christianity is considered apostasy and can carry the death penalty under Islamic law.

Underground house churches are frequently raided. Believers are arrested, interrogated, and sometimes tortured. The Iranian government considers Christianity a Western plot to weaken Islamic values, making it a high-risk faith to practice openly.

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia does not allow public expression of any religion other than Islam. There are no official churches in the country, and importing Bibles or Christian literature is banned – at least as of the writing of this article. Non-Muslims can worship in private, but even then gatherings risk being shut down by religious police.

Conversion from Islam is illegal and can easily lead to the death penalty. Foreign workers from Christian countries are permitted entry but are expected to keep their faith completely private.

6. Maldives

The Maldives is known for its luxury resorts and stunning beaches, but behind the tourism façade lies a highly restrictive environment for Christians. The country’s constitution requires all citizens to be Muslim. This therefore makes the practice of Christianity illegal for Maldivians.

Christian tourists may quietly practice their faith in private, but any attempt to share religious materials or evangelize can lead to swift deportation or imprisonment. Local converts face serious threats, including violence and exile.

7. Libya

Libya is deeply unstable due to ongoing conflict, and in this chaos, Christian persecution thrives. Christianity is legal in theory for foreigners, but in practice, it’s under constant threat. Christian migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa are often targeted by militia groups and can be detained. I have even read many stories of some actually getting executed.

Converts from Islam are especially at risk. Many Libyan Christians worship secretly, and the few church buildings that exist are under tight surveillance.

8. Pakistan

Pakistan has a small Christian minority, but it faces widespread discrimination and violence. Blasphemy laws are frequently misused to target Christians, sometimes leading to mob attacks and lynching or even long prison sentences without evidence.

Churches exist but are often under police guard. Christians are sometimes forced into menial labor and segregated from the Muslim population. While Christianity isn’t illegal on paper, daily life for Pakistani Christians is often marked by fear and insecurity.

9. Yemen

Yemen is engulfed in civil war, and Christian persecution is rampant in the process. The government recognizes Islam as the state religion and does not permit conversion from Islam. Christians are often targeted by Islamist groups and harmed. Some are even ostracized by their own families.

There are no official churches or Christian institutions left in the country. Believers risk everything to worship in secret, and many flee to neighboring countries to survive.

10. Eritrea

Christianity is technically legal in Eritrea, but only a few denominations are permitted to operate, namely the Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches. All other Christian groups are considered illegal and face severe persecution.

Over the years, hundreds of Christians have been imprisoned without trial, some for over a decade. Torture and solitary confinement are common. The government views independent Christian groups as a threat to national unity.

11. China

Christianity is not illegal in China, but it is tightly controlled by the government. Churches are required to register with the state and align their teachings with the Communist Party. Unregistered churches, which are known as “house churches”, are considered illegal. Owing to this, these churches are frequently raided by the authorities.

Pastors and members of underground churches face predicaments ranging from fines to arrests to even imprisonment. I have seen cases where crosses have been removed from buildings. Another interesting thing to note in China is that it isn’t uncommon to se surveillance cameras installed in registered churches. While the number of Christians in China continues to grow, so does the pressure from the government.

12. Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the most closed-off countries in the whole of Central Asia. The government severely restricts religious freedom for a number of reasons. Here, Christianity is technically legal, but only state-registered churches are allowed to operate. Also, if you are a church or a religious organization, registration is extremely difficult to obtain.

Unregistered religious gatherings are considered criminal, and members can face major fines or jail time. In addition to that, religious literature is also tightly controlled. Finally, proselytizing is banned entirely.

13. Algeria

Christianity exists in Algeria, but it’s tightly regulated. The government allows Christian worship but requires churches to obtain official permission, which is rarely granted. Many churches have been shut down in recent years, especially those led by evangelical groups.

Converting from Islam is not officially illegal, but converts often face threats, violence and job loss. Public expression of Christianity is discouraged, and proselytizing is also punishable by law.

14. Uzbekistan

Like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan requires churches to register with the state. The registration process is deliberately difficult, and any unregistered religious activity (including Bible studies and prayer meetings) is considered illegal.

Christians have been detained for possessing religious materials or sharing their faith. Though conditions have slightly improved in recent years, the government still monitors Christian communities closely.

15. Mauritania

Mauritania is an Islamic Republic where the constitution defines Islam as the sole religion. Apostasy is legally punishable by death, although no executions have been carried out in recent years.

Christianity is not recognized, and there are no churches for Mauritanian citizens. Foreign Christians are generally allowed to worship in private, but evangelism is strictly forbidden.

Why This Matters

Religious freedom is one of the most basic human rights yet millions of people around the world can’t freely practice their faith. For Christians in these countries, simply owning a Bible or saying a prayer can be a dangerous act.

As travelers, content creators, or simply global citizens, it’s important to be aware of these realities.

I’ve been blessed to visit countries where churches are open, Bibles are available, and people can worship without fear. But I’ve also spoken with travelers, aid workers and locals who’ve experienced the pain of suppression firsthand. Their stories have stayed with me.