Half a Billion Christians Lack Bible Access, New Report Finds

The Bible Access Initiative released its 2026 Bible Access List on June 10, documenting that over 500 million Christians worldwide encounter significant barriers to obtaining a Bible, and that more than 250 million face very difficult or severe restrictions.

The report, which surveys 106 nations, identifies government controls, extremist violence, family and community pressure, and socioeconomic factors such as poverty, poor infrastructure, illiteracy, and lack of internet as the primary obstacles. It estimates that 277 million believers in 48 countries confront unsafe, restricted, or monitored online environments, while 125 million in 81 countries want a Bible but lack one.

“In Afghanistan, God's Word is the most dangerous book any Afghan can possess, and discovery can cost them their life,” the report states.

Afghanistan tops the restrictions list, followed by Yemen, Somalia, North Korea and Eritrea. In North Korea, even possessing a copy can lead to execution or a life sentence in a forced‑labor camp. The study also notes that printing, distribution, importing and storing Scripture are prohibited or heavily restricted in dozens of countries.

Shortages are acute in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and India, each with more than 10 million believers lacking a Bible. In the DRC, fewer than one in three Christians own a Bible despite the absence of legal bans, largely due to extreme poverty and limited electricity.

The analysis calls for stronger delivery networks and safer access methods, emphasizing that “the Bible Access List is more than a picture of the problem; it helps show where action is possible.” It urges ministries, governments and donors to prioritize both persecution‑related and socioeconomic barriers to ensure that Scripture can reach the half‑billion who remain cut off.