1. Retentionist vs. Abolitionist Countries

As of early 2025, approximately 150 countries have either abolished the death penalty entirely or maintain moratoria on executions. Roughly 55 countries still retain and use it. In 2024, global executions surged to their highest levels since 2015, with at least 1,500 known executions worldwide.

This rise comes not from broader global use, but from a small cluster of nations dramatically intensifying executions.

2. Who’s Still Killing

A handful of countries are responsible for the overwhelming majority of executions each year. In 2024:

• China remains the top global executioner. Though precise figures are classified as state secrets, human rights organizations estimate thousands are executed annually.

• Iran carried out at least 972 executions—more than any other country with publicly reported numbers.

• Saudi Arabia executed at least 345 individuals.

• Iraq carried out at least 63 executions.

• The United States conducted 25 executions, the most since 2018.

Together, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq alone accounted for more than 90% of publicly reported global executions.

3. The Shrinking Club

Despite the spike in total executions, only 15 countries actually carried out executions in 2024—the lowest number ever recorded.

This paradox reveals a concentration effect: fewer countries, executing more people, more often.

4. United Nations and the Global Moratorium

The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly called for a global moratorium on executions. The eighth such resolution passed on December 16, 2020, with 123 countries voting in favor and only 38 opposed. The resolution declared unequivocally: “The death penalty has no place in the 21st century.”

5. Regional Snapshots

Europe: All European countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice—except Belarus, which continues to use capital punishment. Russia retains the penalty legally but has upheld a moratorium since 1996.

Asia-Pacific: The region remains divided. Japan and the United States are the only G7 countries still carrying out executions. Malaysia ended its mandatory death penalty in 2023, though judicial discretion remains. South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997 but has not formally abolished the death penalty.

Africa: Momentum is shifting. Sierra Leone abolished the death penalty in 2021. Zimbabwe followed in December 2024. However, Somalia and Egypt remain active executioners.

Americas: Canada, Mexico, and nearly every country in South America have abolished the death penalty. The United States stands alone as the only country in the region to still carry out executions.

6. Human Rights and Juvenile Offenders

Among the most disturbing developments in 2024 were the executions of individuals convicted as juveniles. Iran executed at least eight people who were under 18 at the time of their alleged offenses. In Somalia, at least one similar case was reported. These executions directly contravene the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which both countries have ratified.

7. Trends and Takeaways

• The number of countries executing people is shrinking steadily.

• Execution totals are rising—driven by a handful of authoritarian states.

• International condemnation is mounting, as seen in multiple UN resolutions.

• Public support for abolition is growing globally, especially in nations that retain the penalty but rarely use it.

8. A Shrinking and Isolated Practice

The global consensus is clear: the death penalty is on the decline. Yet in some countries, it persists as a tool of repression, injustice, or political control. These nations are increasingly isolated, acting against the tide of international law and ethical norms.

In the words of the United Nations resolution: “The death penalty has no place in the 21st century.”

Acronyms Defined:

• UN = United Nations

• G7 = Group of Seven industrialized nations