In 2026, over 500 million Christians faced restrictions on Bible access, while more than 250 million encountered challenges obtaining a copy due to various factors.
According to the Bible Access List report, persecution through government controls, extremist violence, and family and community pressure makes accessing Bibles difficult or dangerous. The scale of the problem extends across every dimension of Bible access.
“In 39 countries, printing is prohibited or severely restricted. Distribution faces the same level of restriction in 39 countries, importing Bibles in 38 countries, storing them in 37 countries, and personal ownership in 34 countries,” the report stated.
The researchers also identified the leading countries experiencing Bible access restrictions and Bible shortages in 2026 as Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Turkmenistan, Libya, Sudan, and Iran.
Countries experiencing Bible shortages include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and India, where an estimated 10 million Christians in each country are unable to access the Bible.
In Uganda, Tanzania, and China, an estimated 5–10 million Christians in each country face similar challenges. Additionally, in Indonesia, Angola, and Mozambique, an estimated three to five million Christians in each country are unable to access the Word of God.
In 48 countries, an estimated 277 million Christians are affected by unsafe or restricted online environments for accessing Scripture.
“Availability does not necessarily mean access. The Bible in 2026 is available in more translations and formats than ever: printed editions, audio, video, and mobile apps,” the report stated.
“That progress is significant and worth celebrating. But for millions of people, having Scripture available does not mean they can obtain or safely use it,” the report further stated.
Accessing online Bibles in countries such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, and China can be extremely dangerous because access to Christian content is heavily restricted.
“In Eritrea, phones are inspected at checkpoints, and the state monitors Christian content online. In Ethiopia, Christian websites are intermittently blocked. In China, foreign Christian websites are blocked, Bible apps have been removed from app stores, and a new online ID system makes digital activity increasingly traceable,” the report stated.
Moreover, in Iran, access to Bible apps and Christian websites is intermittent. However, the risk of surveillance and being caught is very high.
In Saudi Arabia, Christian platforms are blocked, and Christian content is heavily monitored.
The report further stated, “An estimated 54 million Bibles are needed in 18 countries where persecution-related restrictions are minimal or absent and socio-economic barriers are the primary obstacle. Elsewhere, the challenges are more complex, but the need is no less urgent. Country by country, the findings provide a clearer roadmap for prayer and action.”
We can relate this to the experience of a man of God, referred to as Brother AK, who lives in a Muslim-majority region of north-west China.
According to Premier Christian News, Brother AK was driving with his family to visit other Christians while listening to the Bible through a USB device connected to his car. At a police checkpoint, officers spotted the device.
“He explained that he was listening to the Bible because he believed in Jesus. He was then detained for questioning, and his wife was instructed to take their children, including their newborn baby, away.” They further stated.
AFFECTED COUNTRIES
- Afghanistan: Possession can carry life-threatening danger
- Yemen: Imprisonment and execution risks for distribution
- Somalia: Extreme government and extremist group monitoring
- North Korea: Complete prohibition; discovery leads to execution or severe labour camps
- Eritrea: Private reading heavily restricted; phone checks at checkpoints
- Mauritania: Death penalty risks for proselytizing
- Turkmenistan: Owning a Bible can lead to physical beatings
- Libya: Illegal; online viewing can trigger arrest
- Sudan: Importing Bibles into the country is heavily blocked.
- Iran: Farsi Bibles and Christian websites heavily blocked