What happened
A recent analysis by the Bible Access Initiative has found that approximately half a billion Christians worldwide are unable to access the Bible. The 2026 Bible Access List evaluated 106 countries and identified key barriers to access, including persecution-related restrictions, social hostility, and socioeconomic issues. According to the report, 125 million believers are unable to access the Bible in any format, even in countries where it is technically allowed.
The top five countries with the most restrictions on Bible access are Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, and Eritrea. In these countries, Christians face significant risks, including persecution and even death, for possessing a Bible. In Afghanistan, for example, the Bible is considered a dangerous book, and discovery can result in severe punishment.
In addition to countries with legal restrictions, the analysis also identified places where believers face shortages of Bible access due to socioeconomic factors. The top five countries in this category are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, India, and Uganda. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for instance, fewer than 33% of Christians own a Bible, despite it being legal to possess one. The country's poverty, limited electricity, and poor infrastructure contribute to the shortage.
The report highlights the need to distinguish between the availability of the Bible and actual access to it. While technology has expanded the availability of Scripture, many Christians still face significant obstacles in accessing it. The Bible Access Initiative aims to raise awareness about these issues and promote efforts to increase Bible access worldwide.
