Global Executions Surge to 44-Year High

Amnesty International's latest annual report on the death penalty reveals a staggering 78% surge in global executions in 2025, reaching the highest figure since 1981 with 2,707 people executed across 17 countries. This alarming spike is largely attributed to a small group of states, including Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Yemen, Kuwait, Singapore, and the United States, which are accused of weaponizing the death penalty to instill fear and crush dissent. Iran alone accounted for approximately 80% of all known executions, with at least 2,159 people put to death, more than double the previous year. Saudi Arabia also saw a dramatic increase with 356 executions, many for drug-related offenses. The United States recorded its highest execution total since 2009 with 47 executions, nearly half of which occurred in United States — Florida. Despite this increase, Amnesty International notes a continued global trend towards abolition, with 113 countries having fully abolished the death penalty. Countries like Vietnam and The Gambia abolished capital punishment for several offenses, while Lebanon and Nigeria introduced abolition bills.