New report says more than 500 million Christians face Bible access barriers

The second annual Bible Access List says persecution, poverty and weak digital access keep Scripture out of reach for hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide. The report expands to 106 countries and identifies the worst shortages and restrictions as the coalition urges more targeted action.

Why it matters: - The report says Bible access is not just about whether Scripture exists in print or online. It is about whether people can safely and realistically get it. - More than 500 million Christians face Bible access restrictions worldwide, and more than 550 million face severe socioeconomic barriers. - The findings point to a mix of persecution, poverty and infrastructure gaps that shape where Bible distribution efforts are most needed.

What happened: - Bible Access Initiative released the second annual Bible Access List on October 1, 2026. - The report evaluates 106 countries, up from 88 in 2025. - The assessment identifies countries with the greatest Bible restrictions and shortages. - The Bible Restrictions List combines persecution-related limits with socioeconomic barriers. - The Bible Shortage List estimates how many Christians want a Bible but do not yet have one.

The details: - The top five countries on the 2026 Bible Restrictions List are Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea and Eritrea. - Afghanistan moved up to No. 1 from No. 3 in 2025. - Yemen held at No. 2 from 2025. - Somalia fell to No. 3 from No. 1 in 2025. - North Korea rose to No. 4 from No. 6 in 2025. - Eritrea remained at No. 5. - The top five countries on the 2026 Bible Shortage List are DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, India and Uganda. - DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and India each have a shortage range of more than 10 million. - Uganda’s shortage range is 5 million to 10 million. - More than 250 million Christians face Bible access conditions described as very difficult. - The report says more than 550 million Christians across 33 countries face severe socioeconomic barriers. - Those barriers include poverty, poor infrastructure, limited electricity, low literacy and limited internet access. - The report estimates 82 million Christians across those countries do not have a Bible. - More than 400 million Christians across 42 countries are estimated to live without internet access. - Another 277 million Christians across 48 countries live where online Scripture access is unsafe or restricted. - The 2026 assessment used expanded country coverage, refined methodology and improved evidence, with input and validation from local experts.

Between the lines: - The report argues that Bible availability alone does not equal access. - Digital distribution can still miss people when internet service is unavailable or unsafe to use. - The mix of legal restrictions, social hostility and economic limits suggests Bible access problems vary widely by country and require different solutions. - The report is also a planning tool for ministries and other groups deciding where to focus resources.

What’s next: - Bible Access Initiative says the annual assessment is meant to guide intentional, strategic action. - The coalition says it wants to equip partners to combine efforts, resources and energy to expand Scripture access. - The Bible Access Initiative continues to publish data, country profiles and maps at More information.

The bottom line: - The report says the global Bible access gap remains large even as Scripture becomes more available, with persecution, poverty and digital barriers still blocking access for hundreds of millions of Christians.