China Is Still The World's Top Executioner

According to a recent report from human rights group Amnesty International, 2015 saw a huge rise in the number of executions globally, the highest total since 1989. At least 1,634 people were executed worldwide with 90 percent of that number occurring in just three countries: Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

That's excluding China and North Korea where precise numbers are a state secret. However, Amnesty still believes China executes thousands every year, making it the world's top executioner. Despite the spike in executions, Amnesty reported that there is still some hope with four countries expunging the death penalty for good last year.