Millions of Christians are being forced to flee their homes because of conflict, extremism and religiously motivated violence, threatening the future of long-established Christian communities, according to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

This was reported by Christian Today.

A report published on Tuesday by the Catholic charity, titled Persecuted and Forgotten?, found that conditions for Christians had deteriorated in 10 of the 18 countries examined, including China, Nigeria and Pakistan. None of the countries recorded an overall improvement.

According to the report, at least one million Christians are among Nigeria’s more than 3.5 million internally displaced people. The report describes communities fleeing attacks by bandits, ethnic militias and jihadists, particularly in the north of the country and the so-called Middle Belt.

In Burkina Faso, Islamist militants reportedly control at least 40 percent of the country’s territory. ACN says Christians are being forced to comply with Islamist practices, including dress codes, while some have been summarily executed.

In neighbouring Mali, as well as Mozambique, Christian communities also face killings, abductions and the destruction of churches. The charity notes that six of the ten countries most affected by terrorism, according to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, are in Africa.

Conflicts are also raising concerns about whether Christianity will survive in parts of the Middle East, its historic birthplace.

Syria’s Christian population has reportedly declined by more than 80 percent since 2011.

Beyond violence perpetrated by extremists, ACN points to growing repression by authoritarian governments.

In China, the report says pressure on underground churches is intensifying, with arrests, church closures and tighter controls on religious education and online content. In Iran, the number of Christians arrested doubled over a 12-month period.

Nicaragua’s government has expanded its crackdown, arresting or expelling clergy, confiscating church institutions and restricting ordinations.

Religious nationalism is another major concern. The report documented more than 700 incidents of anti-Christian violence in India in 2025. It also noted a link between the spread of state-level anti-conversion laws and an increase in attacks.

In Pakistan, the report highlights the abduction of Christian girls and young women who are forcibly converted to another religion and compelled to marry. Christians also continue to face the persistent threat of blasphemy accusations.