Iran more than doubled executions in 2025 as global use of the death penalty hit 44-year high, report says
Updated on: May 18, 2026 / 7:18 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Global executions reached a high not seen since 1981 in 2025.
- Iran's execution rate doubled, accounting for a majority of the global increase.
- At least 2,707 people were executed globally in 2025, with higher numbers likely due to China's secrecy.
- Excluding China, documented executions increased by 78% from 2024.
- Iran reported at least 2,159 executions, more than double the previous year.
- Other countries with notable execution numbers include Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United States, and Egypt.
- Japan, South Sudan, Taiwan, and the UAE resumed executions in 2025.
- A small group of 10 countries (China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Vietnam, Yemen, and the U.S.) are consistently responsible for executions.
- Amnesty International states these countries disregard international human rights law.
- Over 70% of countries have abolished capital punishment either legally or in practice.