The number of unreached people groups is finally declining

The number of unreached people groups in the world is finally falling. There is still much work to be done before the great commission has been fulfilled.

It has been frustrating to follow the statistics published by the Joshua Project, one of the main mission reference centers, for those wanting to finish the task of bringing the gospel to all people groups. Over the years, the number of unreached groups has increased instead of declining. Partly, this is due to the people group definition Joshua Project uses. Still, their overview has given a feeling of the worldwide church being further and further away from finishing the task Jesus gave. 

Now, it finally looks like the numbers are on a steady decline. One year ago, the total number of unreached groups was 7,425. Today, the comparable number is 7,276. India remains the center of gravity when it comes to unreached. In January last year, India had 2,135 groups of people defined as unreached. Now, 13 months later, the number is 2,048. 

Key groups

According to the Joshua Project, a people group is unreached if it has less than five percent Christian adherents and less than two percent evangelical Christians. Nearly all such groups reside in nations that are closed for traditional missions. The same nations welcome tentmakers. This is why many believe businesspeople, professionals, and students will play a key role in fulfilling the great commission. 

Declining freedom

India is by far the nation with the highest number of unreached groups. Under the current Modi government, religious freedom has declined. This makes bringing the gospel to the unreached in India more challenging. 

Modi’s government is not the only one creating obstacles for Christian mission. In January, Open Door released its World Watch List, giving an overview of the persecution of Christians around the world. North Korea remains at the top of the “Hall of Shame”-list, followed by Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, and Yemen.

“More than 365 million (one in seven) Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith. (..) Attacks on churches and Christian properties sky-rocketed in 2023, as more Christians than ever recorded faced violent attacks,” writes Open Doors in its report.

Global Intent and Tent International experience that even nations that persecute followers of Jesus have a positive desire to hire Christian workers. Thus, there is a great need for Christian professionals and businesspeople ready to move to such nations.

By Steinar Opheim