If you’re sitting in a coffee shop in London or wandering through a park in Oslo, the idea of the state executing a citizen feels like a plot point from a historical drama. But honestly, for a huge chunk of the global population, it’s just Tuesday.
The question of where is the death penalty legal isn't as simple as a "yes" or "no" list. It’s a messy, shifting landscape of laws, secret executions, and sudden political U-turns. While most of the world has moved on, a handful of countries are actually doubling down.
The Global Heavy Hitters
Most people think of the death penalty as a rare exception. Statistically, they’re right—sort of. Over 112 countries have totally scrapped it. But if you look at where people are actually being put to death in 2026, the list narrows down to a few very busy executioners.
China is the big one. They don't release official numbers—they treat them like a state secret—but human rights groups like Amnesty International estimate the count is in the thousands every year. Then you have Iran and Saudi Arabia. In 2025, Iran hit a thirty-year high with over 1,000 executions. Saudi Arabia isn't far behind, recently recording historic highs for the second year in a row.
It’s not just for murder, either. You’ve got people facing the gallows or the firing squad for drug offenses, "insulting the prophet," or even political protest.
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The Countries Still Using It
- China: By far the world leader, mostly using lethal injection or a shooting to the back of the head.
- Iran: Uses hanging, often in public, to send a message.
- Saudi Arabia: Beheading is still the primary method here.
- Egypt: Frequently hands out mass death sentences in the hundreds.
- The United States: The only G7 country and the only nation in the Americas to carry out executions recently.
Where Is the Death Penalty Legal in the US?
The U.S. is a weird outlier. If you ask, "Is it legal in America?" the answer is: it depends on which side of the state line you're standing on.
As of early 2026, 27 states still have the death penalty on the books. But "having it" and "using it" are two different things. California, for instance, has hundreds of people on death row but hasn't executed anyone since 2006 because of a governor-mandated moratorium. Oregon and Pennsylvania are in the same boat.
Then you have the "active" states. Texas, Florida, and Alabama are the ones usually making the news. Alabama recently made headlines for using nitrogen hypoxia—basically suffocating an inmate with gas—which sparked a massive global debate about what "cruel and unusual" actually means.
The Breakdown of US States
The legal map is basically a patchwork quilt. You’ve got states like Virginia and Colorado that recently abolished it entirely. Then you have Idaho, which just passed a law making the firing squad a primary method if lethal injection drugs aren't available. It's a logistical nightmare for the states because pharmaceutical companies don't want their brands associated with "death drugs," leading to a constant scramble for alternatives.
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The "Abolitionist in Practice" Grey Area
There’s this category that experts call "abolitionist in practice." Basically, these are countries where the law says "we can kill you," but the government hasn't actually done it in over a decade.
Take South Korea. They haven't executed anyone since 1997. Russia has had a moratorium since the 90s. In these places, death row still exists, but the cells are essentially just high-security life sentences. It’s a political limbo. Usually, the government doesn't want the international backlash of an execution, but they don't want to look "soft on crime" by officially changing the law.
Why Some Countries Are Going Backward
While the long-term trend is toward abolition—Zimbabwe just joined the club in 2024—some places are backsliding.
In some Middle Eastern and African nations, the death penalty is being "weaponized" (to use Amnesty's word) against political dissidents. It’s a tool for control. When a government feels unstable, they often turn to the harshest punishments to show they're still in charge.
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Malaysia is an interesting case to watch right now. They abolished the mandatory death penalty in 2023, which was a huge deal. It meant judges finally had a choice. But as we move through 2026, they are still studying whether to scrap the whole thing for good. It’s a slow, grinding process of legal reform.
Practical Insights: What This Means for Travel and Law
If you're traveling or doing business abroad, the legal reality of the death penalty can actually affect you.
- Extradition: Many European countries refuse to extradite suspects to the U.S. or China unless there’s a written guarantee that the death penalty won't be sought.
- Consular Help: If a foreigner is arrested in a "retentionist" country, their home embassy usually goes into overdrive to prevent a death sentence.
- Local Laws: In places like Singapore, the "death for drugs" law is printed right on the arrival cards. They aren't kidding.
The global map of where is the death penalty legal is shrinking, but the countries that remain are often increasing their pace. It’s no longer a worldwide standard, but for the thousands currently sitting on death rows from Tokyo to Texas, the law is very much alive.
If you want to stay updated on these shifts, the best move is to follow the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) for U.S. data or Amnesty International for global reports. These organizations track every legislative change and execution in real-time, providing the most accurate window into how this policy is evolving.