If you look at a map of the world from 1950, almost every single country is shaded in a dark, ominous color representing the death penalty. Fast forward to 2026, and that map has basically flipped. Most of the world has moved on. But "most" isn't "all," and honestly, the countries that still keep the executioner on the payroll might surprise you.
It isn't just a "dictator thing." You've got some of the world's largest democracies sitting right alongside some of the most secretive regimes.
So, what country has the death penalty today? Well, the list is getting shorter, but the intensity in the remaining spots is actually ramping up.
The Heavy Hitters: Where Executions Are Actually Rising
While the number of countries actively killing prisoners is at an all-time low (only about 15-20 countries actually carried out a sentence last year), the total number of people being executed is hitting highs we haven't seen in a decade. It’s a weird, grim paradox.
Basically, a few countries are doing the "heavy lifting" for the rest of the world.
China: The Great Unknown
China is, hands down, the world's most prolific executioner. But here’s the kicker: nobody knows the real number. The government treats death penalty stats as a state secret. Human rights groups like Amnesty International estimate the number is in the thousands, but because of the lack of transparency, they don't even include China in their "official" global charts anymore. It would just break the graph.
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The Middle East Surge
If you’re looking at where the most recorded executions happen, you have to look at Iran and Saudi Arabia.
- Iran: In 2024 and 2025, Iran saw a massive spike. We’re talking over 1,000 executions in 2025 alone—a 30-year high. They use it for everything from drug offenses to "enmity against God."
- Saudi Arabia: They recently hit their highest recorded total ever. In one day back in 2022, they executed 81 people. That hasn't slowed down much.
- Iraq and Yemen: Both have seen four-fold increases in the last two years, often linked to political instability and "terrorism" charges that are loosely defined.
The Democratic Outliers: US, Japan, and Singapore
This is where it gets complicated. Most of "The West" and its allies ditched the chair and the noose a long time ago. But three major players refuse to budge.
The United States
The US is a bit of a weird case because it’s not one single policy. It’s a patchwork. As of early 2026, about half of the states have abolished it or have a governor-led moratorium. But in states like Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma, the machinery of death is still very much active.
In 2025, the US actually saw a 33% increase in executions compared to the previous year. We're seeing new methods too, like nitrogen gas in Alabama, which sparked a massive international debate about what "humane" even means in this context.
Japan and Singapore
Japan is super quiet about it. They usually hang prisoners in secret, and the inmates often don't know it’s their day until a few hours before it happens. The public generally supports it, or at least doesn't complain much.
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Singapore is even more rigid. They are famous for their mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking. Even with massive international pressure regarding the execution of people with low IQs or non-violent drug mules, the Singaporean government maintains that it's a necessary deterrent.
The Abolitionist Wave: Who Recently Quit?
It’s not all grim news if you’re on the side of abolition. Africa is currently the "beacon of hope" for activists.
Zimbabwe finally joined the club in 2024, passing the Death Penalty Abolition Act. Zambia and Sierra Leone also recently fully repealed their laws. Even in places like Malaysia, they’ve removed the "mandatory" part of the death penalty, giving judges the chance to choose life in prison instead.
What Are They Using? Methods in 2026
Methods aren't just the "classic" ones anymore. While hanging remains the most common globally (think Japan, Singapore, Egypt), others are getting... creative.
- Beheading: Still the standard in Saudi Arabia.
- Shooting: Used in China, North Korea, and Vietnam.
- Lethal Injection: The primary method in the US and China, though drug shortages are making it harder to pull off.
- Nitrogen Hypoxia: The new "kid on the block" in the US. It involves breathing pure nitrogen until you suffocate.
- Hanging: Most common in former British colonies and parts of the Middle East.
Why Does This Still Matter?
Honestly, the "deterrence" argument is mostly debunked by criminologists. Most data shows that the death penalty doesn't actually lower murder rates more than life imprisonment.
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So why keep it? It usually comes down to two things: politics and retribution. In many countries, it’s a tool of state control—a way to show the government has a "heavy hand." In others, like the US, it's a deeply engrained part of the "justice for victims" narrative that politicians are terrified to touch.
Real-World Implications for 2026
If you're traveling or doing business abroad, this matters more than you think.
- Extradition hurdles: European countries will often refuse to send a criminal back to the US or China if they face the death penalty.
- Drug Laws: In places like Indonesia or Singapore, "I didn't know it was in my bag" won't save you from a gallows sentence.
- International Relations: The UN continues to push for a global moratorium, and being a "retentionist" country is becoming a major diplomatic headache.
Actionable Insights: How to Track the Data
If you're trying to stay updated on which countries are changing their laws, don't just look at a static list. The situation in 2026 is fluid.
- Check the "De Facto" Status: Many countries (like Russia or South Korea) have the death penalty on the books but haven't used it in decades. They are "abolitionist in practice."
- Follow Amnesty International & DPIC: The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) is the gold standard for US data, while Amnesty handles the global side.
- Watch the Courts: In most countries, the change doesn't come from a vote; it comes from a Supreme Court ruling that the practice is "cruel and unusual."
The global trend is clear: the world is moving away from state-sanctioned killing. But for the thousands of people currently on death row in places like Iran, China, and the US, that trend isn't moving nearly fast enough.