The death penalty: Who are the world's biggest executioners?
Amnesty International report reveals number of executions fell in 2016 - but China is keeping its figures secret
The number of executions across the world fell by more than a third in 2016, according to a new report from Amnesty International.
At least 1,032 people were executed in 23 countries last year, down from 1,634 in 2015.
However, Amnesty says the number of death sentences imposed - 3,117 - is a significant increase on the previous year and exceeds the previous highest total recorded in 2014.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There is one country which was not included in the data but which is believed to have carried out more executions that the rest of the world: China.
Beijing carries out several thousand executions each year, but the figures are classified as state secrets.
Which countries still have the death penalty?
Some 57 countries retain the death penalty, while 141 countries, or more than two-thirds, have abolished it, either in law or in practice.
Benin and Nauru both abolished the death penalty for all crimes last year, while Chad and Guatemala took significant steps towards abolition.
By contrast, after more than 60 years without any executions, Maldives last year took steps towards reintroducing the death penalty.
However, Amnesty reports, despite regressive moves in some grounds, the global trend remains towards abolishing the death penalty.
Who are the world's main executioners?
China does not release information about the death penalty, but Amnesty calls it "the world's top executioner" and believes it carries out judicial killings "in the thousands" every year. Beijing is thought to execute more people than the rest of the world combined.
There are 46 offences still punishable by death in China, continues Amnesty, and the authorities continue to use the death penalty to send political messages.
The charity adds that it is impossible to verify claims that recent years have seen a decrease in executions following a review of death penalty cases.
Iran carried out at least 567 executions in 2016, more than half of Amnesty's attested total worldwide, although only 242 were announced through official or semi-official sources. At least 328 people were killed were for drug-related offences, says Amnesty.
Saudi Arabia executed 154 people, while executions in Iraq and Pakistan were set at 88 and 87 respectively.
What about the US?
The United States dropped out of the top five biggest executioners for the first time since 2006, with its figure of 20 people the lowest number recorded since 1991. Amnesty says the rate is half that of 2007 and a third that of 1997.
The states of Georgia and Texas were responsible for 80 per cent of all US executions in 2016. The number carried out in Georgia - nine - almost doubled compared to 2015, while in Texas, the figure dropped from 13 to seven.
There were still 2,832 people on death row at the end of 2016, although the number of death sentences decreased from 52 in 2015 to 32 in 2016 - its lowest since 1973.
What execution methods are used?
Hanging is carried out in 14 countries and is the most common method of execution. Shooting is used in eight countries. China, the United States and Vietnam all execute prisoners via lethal injection.
Amnesty identifies Saudi Arabia as the only country to use beheading as a method of execution.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is flexible working better for business?
Today's Big Question Labour wants to end 'culture of presenteeism' and make hybrid working a 'default right' for UK employees
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
'Sex, drugs, violence'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Princess of Wales returns to work in first meeting of 2024
Speed Reed Early Years project has been the 'cornerstone' of Catherine's charitable work
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published