Report: Over 500 Million Christians Face Bible Access Restrictions

A new report from the Bible Access Initiative indicates that more than 500 million Christians globally encounter significant barriers to obtaining or using the Bible. The 2026 Bible Access List, which surveyed 106 countries, identifies government controls, extremist violence, and community pressure as primary obstacles. While the report highlights that over 500 million believers face restrictions, it also notes that more than 125 million individuals specifically desire a Bible but currently lack access to one.

Afghanistan is ranked as the country with the most severe restrictions, followed by Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, and Eritrea. In nations like North Korea, the report describes the possession of Scripture as a life-threatening offense, often leading to imprisonment or execution. The study further details that 277 million Christians across 48 countries face unsafe digital environments, where surveillance and the blocking of Christian websites hinder access to online versions of the Bible.

The findings categorize nations into tiers of restriction, ranging from "extreme" to "some." Beyond legal prohibitions on printing, importing, and storing physical copies, the report identifies socioeconomic factors such as poverty, illiteracy, and poor infrastructure as additional challenges preventing Christians from engaging with the text.