At least 2,707 people were executed worldwide in 2025, the highest number in more than four decades, according to Amnesty International's annual report. The figure represents a 78% increase from 2024 and is the highest recorded by the group since 1981.

The surge was driven overwhelmingly by Iran, which carried out at least 2,159 executions – about 80% of the global total. Amnesty accused the Iranian regime of weaponizing the death penalty to instill fear and punish dissent, often after grossly unfair trials.

Saudi Arabia also saw a notable rise, with at least 356 executions, many for drug-related offenses. The United States recorded its highest execution figure since 2009, with 47 people put to death, nearly half in Florida alone.

The figures exclude China, which Amnesty believes executes thousands of people annually but does not disclose data. Executions were also confirmed in North Korea and Vietnam, but reliable minimum figures could not be determined.

Despite the grim statistics, Amnesty noted signs of progress toward abolition. By end-2025, 113 countries had fully abolished the death penalty for all crimes, up from just 16 in 1977. Vietnam abolished capital punishment for several offenses, while Gambia, Liberia, and Nigeria took steps to restrict its use.

Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Court ruled that reintroducing the death penalty would violate the constitution, and Zimbabwe commuted all existing death sentences.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said: "Only justice systems that are humane and rights-based can truly deliver justice... the way to protect societies is not through executions, but through strong institutions and accountability."

Source: www.dw.com