Global Executions Reach a 44-Year High in 2025, Amnesty International Reports
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Executions worldwide rose sharply in 2025, reaching their highest level in 44 years according to Amnesty International. The organization recorded 2,707 executions in 17 countries, a 78% increase from 2024, driven largely by Iran and Saudi Arabia. In the United States, executions also increased, while public support for the death penalty has fallen to its lowest level in over 50 years.
Facts First
- Global executions rose 78% in 2025 to a 44-year high of 2,707 people in 17 countries.
- Iran accounted for the majority of executions, killing 2,159 people, more than double its 2024 total.
- Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 people in the same period.
- The United States carried out 47 executions, up from 25 in 2024, with Florida recording the most.
- U.S. public support for capital punishment is at 52%, the lowest level recorded by Gallup since 1972.
What Happened
Amnesty International reported that global executions in 2025 reached a 44-year high, with 2,707 people killed in 17 countries. This represents a 78% increase from the 1,518 executions recorded in 2024. The rise was driven significantly by Iran, which executed 2,159 people—more than double its 2024 count and its highest number in 15 years. Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 people. In the United States, 47 executions were carried out across 11 states, an increase from 25 in 2024. Florida recorded 19 executions, the highest among U.S. states. Amnesty International's count does not include suspected thousands of executions in China.
Why this Matters to You
This report provides a stark measure of how different justice systems are applying the ultimate punishment. For you, it highlights a significant divergence in global trends, where the use of capital punishment is expanding in some nations while receding in others like the United States. The data may inform your understanding of international human rights standards and the ongoing debate over the death penalty's role in society.
What's Next
Amnesty International's annual reporting will likely continue to track these figures, providing a benchmark for human rights advocacy. The trend in the United States appears to be moving toward less public support for the death penalty, which could influence future legislative and judicial decisions at the state level. The high numbers in Iran and Saudi Arabia may lead to increased diplomatic and public pressure from international bodies and human rights groups.