Global Bible Access Crisis: Millions Still Without Scripture

An estimated 100 million Christians around the world lack access to a Bible, the latest Bible Access List found. The report, which is published by the Bible Access Initiative, a collaborative of global Bible agencies, combines data-driven analysis with contextual understanding for an initial 88 countries and shows where access to the Bible is most restricted and where the shortage among believers is greatest.

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to solving the issues of Bible access globally

“While there are many misconceptions about Bible access worldwide, the Bible Access List highlights the complexities and nuances of the issue,” said Ken Bitgood, founder and CEO of Digital Bible Society, which is a founding member of the Bible Access Initiative. “While the Bible Access Initiative believes every individual on earth has an inherent right to access God’s word and to own a copy of the Bible if they so desire, the Bible Access List proves that unfettered access to the Bible is not a universal standard.”

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Here’s where the challenge is

The list highlights where Bible access is blocked by law, the actions of religious extremists or other nonstate actors. The Bible Shortage list estimates how many Christians still want a Bible but don’t yet have one

• The top five countries on the Bible restrictions list are Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, North Korea and Mauritania.
• The top five countries on the Bible shortage list are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, India and China.

“A modern famine persists, not due to apathy but because of barriers that prevent people from accessing the Bible,” said Wybo Nicolai, cocreator of the Bible Access List. “These barriers differ in form, but the result is the same — millions live cut off from God’s word. Many have never seen a Bible in their language, format they prefer or price range they can afford, or have no way to safely obtain one.”

The data illuminate the multifaceted barriers that hinder individuals worldwide from accessing God’s word because of religious persecution, political oppression, socioeconomic challenges, church context dynamics and the impacts of conflict-induced displacement.

“One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to solving the issues of Bible access globally,” said Jaap van Bezooijen, who oversaw the research and systems development for the Bible Access List. “Real Bible access means reaching people where they are, with the format they can use, at a time they can receive it safely. While digital tools are part of the solution, they are not the whole solution.

“For those who are poor, illiterate, offline or living where digital Bible access is monitored and unsafe, printed and audio Bibles are still essential. Our mission with the Bible Access List is to provide a clear, reliable global picture so the church can respond strategically.”

–Lee Hartman