Executions hit highest level in four decades

Global executions jumped to their highest level since 1981 in 2025, pushed in part by a “staggering” increase in Iran’s use of the death penalty, Amnesty International says

GLOBAL EXECUTIONS (2025)
Figures exclude thousands of executions believed to have been carried out in China, world’s top executioner, because of state secrecy

Saudi Arabia
Yemen
U.S.
Egypt
Somalia
Kuwait
Singapore
Afghanistan
UAE
Iran
Japan, S. Sudan, Taiwan, Iraq, N. Korea, Vietnam

2,159+
356+
51+
47
23
17+
17
17
6
3
1

2024
1,518
2025
2,707

Iran: Increase came as authorities intensified use of death penalty as tool of political repression, particularly after June 2025 war with Israel

U.S.: Executions reached highest level since 2009, with Florida driving spike with 19 executions

2025: At least 2,707 executions in 17 countries – increase of 78% from 2024

Source: Amnesty International
Picture: Newscom
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