As of 2012, the global population stood at approximately 7 billion. Today, that number has surpassed 8 billion—and with it, the need for access to the Bible has never been greater.

Globally, over 3.5 billion people—more than 50% of the population—have not heard the gospel. Many of them live in regions where they lack access to churches, Christian literature, or missionaries. Among the 16,700 distinct people groups worldwide, around 6,700 are classified as unreached, meaning fewer than 2% identify as evangelical Christians. These groups often have no Bibles, no Christian resources, and no mission efforts focused on them.

To illustrate the scale of the challenge: if every 5,000 unreached individuals were to receive a dedicated missionary, the world would need an additional 700,000 missionaries. But even with such a massive mobilization, the distribution of Bible products remains a foundational need.

Why Bible Publishing Matters Now More Than Ever

Africa as a Strategic Market:

57 countries across the continent

750 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa alone

60–65% identify as Christian (approximately 450–490 million people)

75% of the population understand English to some degree

227 million literate Christians, creating a substantial and growing demand for Bible products

These figures highlight a massive opportunity to equip believers with Scripture—and introduce the gospel to those still unreached.

Market Opportunity:

High literacy + growing faith: With Christian populations growing and literacy rates improving, the demand for solar, printed and digital Bibles, study materials, children’s Bibles, and other resources is expanding.

English as a common language: Many African nations have adopted English as an official or educational language, simplifying logistics for distribution.

Underserved regions: Many rural and urban areas still lack access to affordable, high-quality Bibles—presenting a wide-open market for publishers, printers, and distributors.

Conclusion:

Between 1900 and 2000, the number of Christians in Africa grew from 10 million to over 360 million, increasing from 10 percent to 46 percent of the population. All indications suggest that this growth will continue, and by 2050, it is projected that there will be around 800 million Christians on the continent.

The global center of gravity of Christianity has shifted. In 1800, Northern Italy was considered a focal point of the Christian faith. During the 1900s, it gradually moved toward Spain. By 1970, it had shifted to Africa. This southward trajectory is expected to continue throughout the 21st century. By 2025, Africa and Latin America are projected to vie for the title of the most Christian continent. Based on this trend, scholars such as Philip Jenkins estimate that Christian church membership in these regions will reach around 800 million by 2050.

When one juxtaposes the growth of Christianity with the availability of vernacular Bible translations, the potential becomes clear—not only to bring God's Word to more people but also to generate resources to further His Kingdom. However, a major obstacle to realizing this opportunity is the limited availability of Bibles. Despite the great need, there is insufficient funding to print and distribute Bibles in many languages in a cost-effective manner. One of the primary aims of all Ministries should be to bridge this gap.

The same trends observed in Africa are also evident in other parts of the developing world. South America, East Asia, Russia, and the nations of Eastern Europe mirror Africa's growth in Christianity. This presents an opportunity to expand and market our concepts not only in Africa but across the developing world.