Inside the 10/40 Window: The Countries 3.4 Billion Unreached People Call Home

3.4 billion people around the world have never heard about Jesus
and 97% of them are living in the 10/40 Window

What countries are in the 10/40 Window?

Countries on the 10/40 Window list have a large number of unreached people groups and are within or near the 10°N and 40°N latitude lines forming a box that extends from North Africa through Southeast Asia.^1,2

Christian persecution 

Christian persecution within the 10/40 Window is a serious and pressing issue. In many countries, Christians face severe restrictions on their religious freedoms, from social discrimination to violent attacks and imprisonment. Governments in some of these nations enforce strict anti-Christian laws, making it illegal to practice Christianity openly or to share the faith with others.³

 

10/40 Window

nations with high concentrations 

of unreached people groups

 

Open Doors World Watch List 2024

50 countries where Christians face

the most extreme persecution

 

Islam

nations with significant

Muslim populations

 

Buddhism

nations with significant

Buddhist populations

 

Hinduism

nations with significant

Hindu populations

 

Christianity

nations with significant

Christian populations

 

Non-Religious

nations with significant

non-religious populations

 

Indigenous Religions

nations with large

indigenous religious populations

World Religions 

The 10/40 Window is also the birthplace of major world religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many indigenous faiths. It includes countries with the largest Muslim populations like Indonesia and Pakistan, and nations where Hinduism and Buddhism are predominant like India and Thailand. These religions influence the culture, society, and politics of the countries, often resulting in complex interfaith dynamics. The presence of these major religions in such close proximity emphasizes the importance of the 10/40 Window as a key location for missions.

But then, why is it so hard to hear about Jesus in the 10/40 Window?

1. Not enough people are going

Only 3.4% of missionaries around the world serve within the 10/40 Window. That's 3.4% of missionaries for the 97% of the world's unreached people.⁴ Let's do the math...

So a city the size of Nuremberg would have 2 Christian workers to reach an entire city who has never heard of Jesus. Now that's a task! 

Only God knows the exact numbers, and He knows each of these people by name. He also knows how many people are needed to go so that everyone has the opportunity to hear about Him. And that's why He's not calling a select few. The Great Commission is a command to all Christians. 

2. Not enough resources are allocated to this work

According to the Center for Study of Global Christianity, 270 billion dollars are given to Christian work by believers globally each year (this is way less than tithing, just 1.76% of that same group's income is given to Christian work). Of what is given, 5.6% goes to missions. But only 0.1% makes it's way to work in the 10/40 Window.⁵

$9 for every $10,000 given to Christian work goes to work within the 10/40 Window

What's your response?

The Great Commission calls us all to be involved in seeing Jesus made known throughout the whole world. And maybe not every one of us has the ability to go and move to the 10/40 Window to serve. But we all have finances to give, and we definitely all can pray.

• Pray for more workers to go to nations where people still haven't heard about Jesus.
• Pray for the hearts of people to be open and ready to respond as they hear about Jesus.
• Pray for protection and bold witness for Christians living in regions of higher persecution.
• Pray for provision and funding for outreaches and projects actively reaching out to the unreached.

You can make an impact. Your willingness to step out, to leave your comfort zone, and embrace the unknown makes room for Jesus to bring incredible transformation.

We can help you begin that journey.

Talk to a DTS Coach

References:

¹ Pray 10/40. (n.d.). 10/40 Window the Ultimate Guide. Retrieved from https://pray1040.com/10-40-window/ 

² Joshua Project. (n.d.). What is the 10/40 Window. Retrieved from https://joshuaproject.net/resources/articles/10_40_window 

³ World Watch List 2024. (2024). Open Doors. Retrieved from https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/ 

⁴ The Traveling Team. (2024). Mission Stats, the Current State of the World. Retrieved from https://www.thetravelingteam.org/stats 

⁵ World Christian Trends. (2001, experts and authors above have determined this trend hold true as of 2022). David B. Barrett and Todd M. Johnson. World Christian Trends Table 20-3, lines 41-44.