A recent Amnesty International report highlights a significant global increase in executions, reaching a record high since 1981, with at least 2,707 expected in 2025. Iran led this surge, doubling its execution rate to at least 2,159, while other countries like Saudi Arabia (356 executions), Yemen (51), and the US (47) also contributed to the rise. Although precise figures for China are unavailable due to state secrecy, it is believed there are many more executions there.
Excluding China, documented executions increased 78% from the previous year. Countries such as Kuwait and Egypt nearly doubled their execution numbers. The report notes that a small group of nations—China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Vietnam, Yemen, and the US—are responsible for most executions and show a disregard for international human rights standards.
Amnesty International expressed concern over this trend, indicating that these countries use the death penalty to instill fear and suppress dissent. However, worldwide, support for capital punishment has been declining, and it is projected that over 70% of countries will abolish the death penalty by 2026.
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