New Bible Access List Reveals Global Scripture Crisis: The Places Where God's Word is Hardest to Find

When Wesley* first held a Bible in his own language, everything changed. Growing up in a remote Malaysian village where Christianity was just a mark on his birth certificate, he had heard of Jesus but never truly met Him. "I had heard about Bibles, but not about Jesus," Wesley says. "In my village, there was so much reliance on cultural practices and beliefs that no one really mentioned anything about Jesus."

Wesley's story illustrates a crisis facing millions of Christians worldwide—a crisis now documented in the first-ever Bible Access List, released today.

A Global Scripture Emergency

The Bible Access List identifies the countries where access to Scripture is most restricted and Bible shortages are most severe. After several years of research, including over hundreds of interviews with country and mission experts, the data reveals an alarming reality: persecution and Bible access are intimately connected.

"Where Christians face the greatest persecution, they also face the greatest barriers to accessing God's Word," says Open Doors US CEO Ryan Brown. "This isn't coincidence—it's strategy. Oppressive governments, extremist groups and local actors such as extended families understand that cutting believers off from Scripture weakens their faith and fractures their communities."

The Bible Access List is published by a cooperative coalition of like-minded 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.

The research examined multiple factors including church growth, literacy rates, infrastructure challenges, import restrictions, printing limitations, ownership laws, and the impact of violent attacks on Bible access.

The Three-Pronged Attack on Scripture Access

The Bible Access List reveals how persecution systematically targets Bible access through three primary strategies:

• People who identify as "Christian" but lack biblical foundation to resist cultural pressure. Romi from Malaysia's Semelai tribe grew up "Christian" but regularly visited witch doctors because no one had taught him what the Bible actually said. Only at age 34, when he received discipleship training, did he "truly meet the Lord Jesus Christ."
• Governments force churches underground, creating desperate hunger for Scripture. In Algeria, all Protestant churches have been forced to cease operations, while in China, once-tolerated unregistered churches are now increasingly targeted. Believers in North Korea risk imprisonment to share a single torn page from the Gospel of John.
• Violence against Christians directly targets Bible distribution networks. As persecution intensifies globally, churches are burned, Christian bookstores destroyed, and pastors who distribute Bibles are imprisoned or killed—systematically cutting believers off from Scripture access.

Highlights

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 or even one's own extended families, 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:

1. Somalia
2. Afghanistan
3. Yemen
4. North Korea
5. Mauritania

The top five countries on the Bible Shortage list are:

1. Democratic Republic of Congo (Shortage Range: >10 million)
2. Nigeria (Shortage Range: >10 million)
3. Ethiopia (Shortage Range: >10 million)
4. India (Shortage Range: >10 million)
5. China (Shortage Range: 5-10 million)

Hope Through Partnership

Despite these challenges, the Bible Access List represents hope. By identifying the greatest needs, it enables churches, ministries, and organizations to focus resources where Scripture scarcity is most acute.

Wesley's transformation came through Open Doors' Ground Zero program, which provided his first opportunity to read the Bible. "The program was designed to facilitate sessions for high school graduates who were transitioning to college," Wesley explains. "I learned to study the Bible, to say my prayers and to worship God."

When family members later faced spiritual oppression, Wesley's biblical foundation enabled him to pray with authority. His uncle's three-day demonic possession ended after one night of Wesley's prayer. "When I read the Bible, it always says God is with us and not to be afraid," Wesley says. "I remember those verses wherever I go."

A Call to Action

The Bible Access List launches with an urgent message: Christians worldwide cannot wait for gradual change. Every day without Scripture access means believers like Wesley and Romi remain vulnerable to deception, persecution, and spiritual defeat.

"The Bible provided me with the most valuable knowledge I could ask for," Wesley reflects. "If we don't strengthen our faith, we will be easily influenced."

As Hebrews 4:12 reminds us: "The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword." The Bible Access List ensures this life-changing Word reaches those who need it most.

*Names changed for security

View the complete Bible Access List here: Bible Access List.