According to Amnesty International, last year more people were executed worldwide than ever in the past 44 years.
In 17 countries, 2,707 death sentences were carried out — this is 78% more than in 2024. These figures are contained in the annual report of the organization, which has been tracking such statistics since 1981, reports NOS.
At the same time, the statistics do not account for the mass protests in Iran and the subsequent harsh repression by the authorities in January of this year. Nevertheless, by 2025, the majority of registered executions occurred in Iran — 2,159 cases, which is double the number from the previous year.
"To Sow Fear"
According to Amnesty International, such a high level of executions is primarily linked to the actions of a small number of states that continue to use the death penalty as a tool of intimidation. In addition to Iran, the organization identifies North Korea and Saudi Arabia as such countries.
"This shameful minority of countries uses the death penalty as a weapon to intimidate, suppress dissent, and demonstrate power over poor and marginalized communities," said Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard.
Data on China is not included in the report, as it is considered a state secret. However, human rights advocates believe that the number of executions there "is likely in the thousands," making China the largest executor of death sentences in the world.
Drug War
The death penalty is actively applied in the context of the fight against drugs and related crimes. In China (exact figures unknown), Iran (998 executions), and Saudi Arabia (240), such sentences are used particularly frequently. Almost half of all known executions — 1,257 cases — were related to drug-related crimes.
Algeria, Kuwait, and the Maldives passed laws last year expanding the application of the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
Over the past five years, executions have been carried out annually in ten countries: China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the USA, Vietnam, and Yemen. Additionally, last year, after a hiatus, executions resumed in Japan, South Sudan, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
In Europe and Central Asia, no executions or new death sentences were recorded in the past year. The USA remains the only country in North and South America where executions are carried out for the 17th consecutive year, with almost half of them occurring in Florida.
