Death Penalty in 2022: Facts and Figures
Global figures
"Country names listed reflect nomenclature in May 2023" and “This map indicates the general locations of boundaries and jurisdictions and should not be interpreted as Amnesty International’s view on disputed territories”.
Global executions
Amnesty International recorded 883 executions in 20 countries in 2022, marking a 53% increase from 579 recorded in 2021. This figure represents the highest number of executions that Amnesty International has recorded in the past five years (since 2017, when 993 executions were recorded).
China remained the world’s leading executioner, but the true extent of the use of the death penalty in this country remains unknown as this data remains classified as a state secret. The global figure recorded by Amnesty International excludes the thousands of executions believed to have been carried out in China, as well as those carried out in Viet Nam and North Korea where Amnesty International believes the death penalty was resorted to extensively.
Most known executions took place in China (1000s), Iran (at least 576) Saudi Arabia (196), Egypt (24), and the USA (18).
In 2022, 93% of known global executions (excluding China) were carried out in the Middle East and North Africa.
The 196 executions recorded in Saudi Arabia were the highest yearly total known for this country in 30 years.
A total of 13 women were known to have been executed in the world: Iran (12) and Saudi Arabia (1).
Amnesty International recorded executions in 20 countries, compared to 18 countries in 2021.
Violating international law
325 executions were recorded for drug-related offences: 255 in Iran; 57 in Saudi Arabia; 11 in Singapore; and in China (+). In calculating the global total of executions carried out for drug-related offences, two were counted for China in accordance with Amnesty International’s research methodology.
At least 3 public executions were recorded in Afghanistan (1+) and Iran (2).
In Iran, at least 5 people were executed for crimes that occurred when they were below 18 years of age.
Resuming executions
Executions resumed in five countries: Afghanistan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Palestine (State of) and Singapore.
Botswana, UAE and Oman carried out executions in 2021, but did not do so in 2022.
The following methods of execution were used in 2022: beheading, hanging, lethal injection and shooting.
Global death sentences
At least 2,016 new death sentences across 52 countries were imposed in 2022, compared to at least 2,052 in 56 countries in 2021.
Amnesty International recorded commutations or pardons of death sentences in 26 countries.
Five countries — Bahrain, Comoros, Laos, Niger and South Korea — handed down death sentences after a hiatus.
Amnesty International recorded at least 28 exonerations of prisoners who had been sentenced to death in four countries: Kenya (20), Morocco/Western Sahara (1), the USA (2), and Zimbabwe (5).
Globally, at least 28,282 people were under sentence of death at the end of 2022.
Abolishing the death penalty
Six countries abolished the death penalty either fully (Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Central African Republic) or partially (Equatorial Guinea and Zambia, who abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes only) in 2022.
At the end of 2022, 112 countries were abolitionist for all crimes, while 9 were abolitionist for ordinary crimes only
Regional Analysis
Americas
For the 14th consecutive year, the USA remained the only country in the region to carry out executions.
The number of executions carried out in the USA increased by 64%, rising from 11 in 2021 to 18 in 2022.
Outgoing Governor of Oregon Kate Brown commuted all remaining death sentences in the state.
For the sixth consecutive year, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA were the only countries in the region that imposed new death sentences.
Asia-Pacific
In Asia-Pacific, eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Myanmar, North Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam) are known to have carried out executions in 2022, an increase from five in 2021.
The number of new death sentences recorded regionally increased by 5% from 819 in 2021 to 861 in 2022.
Military authorities carried out the first executions in Myanmar in four decades, including the execution of two high-profile opposition politicians.
Executions also resumed after a hiatus in Afghanistan and Singapore.
Papua New Guinea became the 21st country in the Asia-Pacific region to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
Europe and Central Asia
Belarus carried out one execution in 2022. It was the only country in Europe and Central Asia to do so.
Kazakhstan abolished the death penalty for all crimes and ratified a key UN treaty on abolition.
Russia and Tajikistan continued to observe moratoriums on executions.
The Middle East and North Africa
The number of executions recorded in the Middle East and North Africa region increased by 59%, rising from 520 in 2021 to 825 in 2022.
94% of executions recorded in the region were carried out in Iran (70%) and Saudi Arabia (24%).
Executions resumed in Kuwait and the State of Palestine for the first time since 2017.
Recorded death sentences in the region decreased slightly from 834 in 2021 to 827 in 2022. Death sentences were imposed in 16 countries in 2022, compared to 17 in 2021.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Recorded executions in the region decreased by 67%, from 33 in 2021 to 11 in 2022.
The only known executions were recorded in Somalia and South Sudan.
Recorded death sentences fell by 20%, from 373 in 2021 to 298 in 2022.
Death sentences were recorded in 16 countries in 2022, compared to 19 in 2021.
Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic abolished the death penalty for all crimes, while Equatorial Guinea and Zambia abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes only.
As a seasoned expert in the field of human rights and international law, particularly with a focus on the death penalty, I've closely followed and analyzed global trends in capital punishment. My expertise is grounded in a thorough understanding of legal frameworks, international agreements, and the evolving landscape of human rights.
The data provided in the article "Death Penalty in 2022: Facts and Figures" offers a comprehensive overview of the state of capital punishment worldwide. Let's break down the key concepts and information presented:
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Global Executions:
- Amnesty International recorded 883 executions in 20 countries in 2022, a significant increase of 53% from the previous year (579 in 2021).
- China leads in executions, but the actual number is unknown as it remains classified. Amnesty International excludes thousands of executions believed to have occurred in China, as well as those in Viet Nam and North Korea.
- Most known executions occurred in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the USA.
- In 2022, 93% of known global executions (excluding China) took place in the Middle East and North Africa.
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Violations of International Law:
- 325 executions were recorded for drug-related offenses, with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and China being prominent in this category.
- Public executions were reported in Afghanistan and Iran.
- At least 5 people were executed in Iran for crimes committed when they were below 18 years of age.
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Resuming Executions:
- Executions resumed in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Palestine (State of), and Singapore.
- Botswana, UAE, and Oman, which executed in 2021, did not carry out executions in 2022.
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Global Death Sentences:
- At least 2,016 new death sentences were imposed across 52 countries in 2022, a slight decrease from 2,052 in 2021.
- Amnesty International recorded commutations or pardons in 26 countries.
- Exonerations of death sentences were reported in Kenya, Morocco/Western Sahara, the USA, and Zimbabwe.
- Globally, 28,282 people were under sentence of death at the end of 2022.
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Abolishing the Death Penalty:
- Six countries abolished the death penalty in 2022, either fully or partially.
- At the end of 2022, 112 countries were abolitionist for all crimes, and 9 were abolitionist for ordinary crimes only.
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Regional Analysis:
- Americas: The USA saw a 64% increase in executions, and it remained the only country in the region to carry out executions.
- Asia-Pacific: Eight countries in the region carried out executions in 2022, and Papua New Guinea abolished the death penalty.
- Europe and Central Asia: Belarus executed one person, while Kazakhstan abolished the death penalty for all crimes.
- Middle East and North Africa: Executions increased by 59%, with Iran and Saudi Arabia accounting for 94%. Kuwait and the State of Palestine resumed executions.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Recorded executions and death sentences decreased, and Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic abolished the death penalty.
This overview provides a snapshot of the global landscape of the death penalty in 2022, revealing both concerning trends and positive developments in the fight against capital punishment.
