Amnesty International reports that 2025 saw a global spike in executions, with Iran accounting for the vast majority. This page answers the top questions readers ask about these figures, the trending factors behind the rise, and how reliable differing data sources are. Explore how this fits into broader debates on justice, sanctions, and international responses.
Amnesty International reports that Iran executed 2,159 people in 2025, the largest share of the world’s total (2,707). Rights groups link the rise to intensified political repression, crackdowns on protests, and ongoing regional conflicts. China’s data is excluded due to state secrecy, which means totals reflect countries with accessible data.
In 2025 Iran recorded an all-time high and the largest share of executions since 1981. Amnesty notes a notable increase in states using the death penalty amid political unrest and security concerns, with Iran at the center of the surge.
Analysts point to heightened political repression, responses to protests, and regional conflict dynamics (including the 2025 war developments) as key drivers. These conditions correlate with broader reliance on harsh penalties as a tool for deterrence or control, according to Amnesty and rights groups.
The international response to rising executions includes condemnations from human rights groups, calls for moratoriums on the death penalty, and sanctions or political actions in some cases. Amnesty’s reporting often informs these discussions, but specific sanctions tied to the 2025 Iranian figures vary by country and policy.
China’s data is excluded from Amnesty’s global totals due to state secrecy and limited access. This means the global number may undercount the true total to some extent, though Amnesty’s figure for Iran remains an all-time high even without China’s data.
Look to Amnesty International’s 2025 death-penalty report, cross-check with reputable outlets that cite the report, and follow ongoing updates from human rights organizations. If you’re researching, consider the data gaps created by inaccessible figures from countries like China.
Iran carried out over 2,150 executions last year, according to Amnesty International, contributing to the highest global execution total recorded since 1981.