Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were responsible for the overall rise in known executions, accounting for 1,380 recorded executions, or 91% of the global total, Amnesty International reported on April 8.

Recorded executions globally have hit their highest figure since 2015, with over 1,500 people executed in 15 countries in 2024. According to Amnesty's annual report on the global use of the death penalty, 1,518 executions were recorded in 2024, the highest number since 2015, when at least 1,634 people were executed. However, for the second year in a row, countries carrying out executions remained at the lowest point on record.

Iraq almost quadrupled its executions from at least 16 to at least 63, while Saudi Arabia doubled its yearly total from 172 to at least 345. Iran executed 119 more individuals than last year, up from at least 853 to at least 972, accounting for 64% of all known executions.

"The death penalty is an abhorrent practice with no place in today's world," said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General. "With just 15 countries carrying out executions in 2024, the lowest number on record for the second consecutive year, this signals a move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment."

The five countries with the highest number of recorded executions in 2024 were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen. The known totals do not include the thousands of people believed to have been executed in China, which remains the world's lead executioner, as well as North Korea and Vietnam.

Throughout 2024, Amnesty International witnessed leaders weaponising the death penalty under the false pretence that it would improve public safety or instil fear among the population.

Over 40% of 2024's executions were carried out unlawfully for drug-related offences. Under international human rights law and standards, the use of the death penalty must be restricted for the "most serious crimes" – sentencing people to death for drug-related offences does not meet this threshold.

Despite a rise in executions, 113 countries are fully abolitionist and 145 in total have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. In 2024, Zimbabwe signed into law a bill that abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes.