The Death Penalty
The global debate over capital punishment, the arguments on both sides, and the trend toward abolition.
Global Status
As of 2024, more than two-thirds of the world's countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Over 110 countries have abolished it entirely, and others maintain moratoria. However, some of the world's most populous and powerful states retain it: China (which carries out more executions than the rest of the world combined), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States.
The trend toward abolition accelerated in the late 20th century. Every European country has abolished it, and the European Convention on Human Rights effectively prohibits it. Latin America and most of Africa have followed. The remaining retentionist states are concentrated in the Middle East, North Africa, South and East Asia, and parts of the United States.
