B
2
1,8 billion Scriptures
distributed in five years
By God’s grace, Bible Societies
around the world had been able
to achieve the incredible feat of
distributing 1,8 billion Scriptures in
the last five years, with 2019 being a
record year for Bible provision.
Annual distribution of complete
Bibles worldwide totalled 34 million in
2015, and by the end of the five-year
period had risen to 40 million in 2019.
This consistent increase revealed an
ongoing demand for God’s Word –
also demonstrating the commitment of
Bible Societies to ensure that everyone
who needed a Bible was able to get
one.
The digital trend in global Bible dis-
tribution continued to surge with nearly
a quarter of all Bibles being distributed
via digital downloads compared to
17% in 2018.
All in all, Scripture distribution
amounted to 315 million Scripture
items in 2019.
Interestingly, nearly 3,7 million
Scriptures designed specifically for
children were distributed in 2019,
34% of which was distributed in
Africa. Egypt, in particular, distributed
the lion’s share – 1,1 million Children’s
Scripture items.
Another heartening aspect that
emerged from the distribution figures
was the number of adults that were
learning to read. Some 4,5 million
booklets for new readers were distrib-
uted in 2019. Translation, literacy and
distribution go hand in hand – and in
20 countries, literacy classes had been
run for up to 165 000 people. Burkina
Faso in Africa has materialised as a
beacon of light. Despite having one of
