New report highlights countries with the highest restrictions and greatest shortages for Bible access worldwide
The Bible Access List provides evidence-based insight for overcoming challenges
CHICAGO — The Bible Access List, a new annual assessment, uncovers the stark reality of the lack of Bible access for an estimated 100 million Christians around the globe. Developed and published by the Bible Access Initiative, a collaborative of global Bible agencies, the report combines data-driven analysis with contextual understanding for an initial 88 countries and shows where access to the Bible is most restricted and where the shortage among believers is greatest.
“While there are many misconceptions about Bible access worldwide, the Bible Access List highlights the complexities and nuances of the issue,” said Ken Bitgood, founder and CEO of Digital Bible Society, which is a founding member of the Bible Access Initiative. “While the Bible Access Initiative believes every individual on earth has an inherent right to access God’s Word and to own a copy of the Bible if they so desire, the Bible Access List proves that unfettered access to the Bible is not a universal standard.”
The Bible Access List includes data from two key lists:
The Bible Restrictions list highlights where Bible access is blocked by law, the actions of religious extremists or other non-state actors as well as limitations due to socio-economic indicators.
The Bible Shortage list estimates how many Christians still want a Bible but don’t yet have one.
The top five countries on the Bible Restrictions list are:
Somalia
Afghanistan
Yemen
North Korea
Mauritania
The top five countries on the Bible Shortage list are:
Democratic Republic of Congo (Shortage Range: >10 million)
Nigeria (Shortage Range: >10 million)
Ethiopia (Shortage Range: >10 million)
India (Shortage Range: >10 million)
China (Shortage Range: 5-10 million)
“A modern famine persists, not due to apathy, but because of barriers that prevent people from accessing the Bible,” said Wybo Nicolai, co-creator of the Bible Access List. “These barriers differ in form, but the result is the same: millions live cut off from God’s Word. Many have never seen a Bible in their language, format they prefer, or price range they can afford, or have no way to safely obtain one.”
At the core of the Bible Access List methodology is a commitment to interdisciplinary rigor. The process to compile the data included integrated quantitative data analysis, survey research and a qualitative validation review with experts and/or country-level practitioners. The data illuminates the multifaceted barriers that hinder individuals worldwide from accessing God’s Word due to religious persecution, political oppression, socio-economic challenges, church context dynamics and the impacts of conflict-induced displacement.
“One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to solving the issues of Bible access globally,” said Jaap van Bezooijen, who oversaw the research and systems development for the Bible Access List, from survey distribution through to methodology, synthesis of findings, and reporting. “Real Bible access means reaching people where they are, with the format they can use, at a time they can receive it safely. While digital tools are part of the solution, they are not the whole solution. For those who are poor, illiterate, offline, or living where digital Bible access is monitored and unsafe—printed and audio Bibles are still essential. Our mission with the Bible Access List is to provide a clear, reliable global picture so the Church can respond strategically.”
The Bible Access List is published by the Bible Access Initiative (BAI), a collaborative of Bible agencies and mission partners. The initiative was founded by Open Doors International and Digital Bible Society, and for 2025 the steering partners include Digital Bible Society, Frontlines International and Bible League International, with contributing partners such as Open Doors International, Biblica, Bible League Canada and OneHope.
For complete details, data, country profiles and maps related to the Bible Access List, visit bibleaccesslist.org.
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About Bible Access Initiative
The Bible Access Initiative is a collaborative of global partners formed to develop and compile the annual Bible Access List, the Initiative’s primary objective is to provide Bible agencies, mission organizations and churches with a comprehensive and reliable overview of restrictions on Bible access and shortages experienced across different countries. Its mission is to provide crucial information for enhancing strategic planning efforts aimed at addressing Bible access challenges more effectively.
Contact:
Kristin U. Cole
KC Communications
615-289-6701
kristin@kccommunications.co
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Association
