The Death Penalty in 2012: Global Numbers
At least 21 countries were known to have carried out executions in 2012. However, it is unclear if executions were carried out in countries in turmoil, such as Syria, in 2012. In 2011, equally 21 countries were reported to have implemented death sentences. These figures represent a significant decrease from a decade ago; in 2003, 28 countries carried out executions.
At least 682 executions were known to have been carried out worldwide, two more than in 2011. However, the 682 figure does not include the thousands of people who were believed to have been executed in China in 2011.
Infographics
Countries that executed in 2012
Abolitionist countries year by year
Worldwide trends in the death penalty
