Record rise in global death sentences and executions reported for 2025

Amnesty International’s annual report has identified a record increase in the use of the death penalty globally in 2025. The humanitarian organisation’s review indicates that at least 2,707 executions were carried out across 17 countries, marking the highest documented figure in recent years. This surge in state-sanctioned killings underscores a persistent reliance on capital punishment to address perceived threats to state stability.

China is believed to remain the world’s leading executioner, accounting for the highest number of cases. However, precise figures remain undisclosed as the Chinese government does not release official statistics. Amnesty International’s assessment that Beijing leads the world in executions is based on available data and estimates rather than verified government numbers.

Iran contributed significantly to the global rise in death sentences and executions. The report notes that the number of executions in Iran nearly doubled compared to 2024. This sharp increase in Tehran has been a major factor in the overall upward trend recorded by the organisation.

The findings suggest that for many regimes, the death penalty remains a preferred method for judicial and political control. Amnesty International warns that this trend reinforces concerns about the weaponisation of judicial processes. The organisation continues to monitor these developments as part of its broader mandate to protect human rights and challenge the use of capital punishment.

While the exact total number of death sentences imposed globally is not explicitly quantified in the provided text, the report confirms a record increase in both sentences and executions. The data highlights that despite long-standing international efforts to abolish the death penalty, several nations continue to expand its application.