Amnesty International reports that state-sanctioned executions reached a 44-year high globally in 2025, with the United States nearly doubling its execution numbers from the previous year.

The number of people killed in state-sanctioned executions worldwide rose to a 44-year high in 2025, according to a new report from Amnesty International. <img alt="Of the 11 U.S. states that executed prisoners in 2025, Florida led the way with 19 executions." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3753x2502+0+0/resize/3753x2502!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F75%2F48%2F7e68e5e1412cb23f7b0acb972d51%2Fap26055468699248.jpg" /><p>The number of people ...