Following a year of Bible translation work around the globe in 2024, for the first time in history, over 6.1 billion people have access to the full Bible in their heart language. This is an astounding achievement for the United Bible Societies (UBS), a global network of 150 Bible Societies, including Bible Society Australia, who are working together to make the Bible accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Rev. Dirk Gevers, UBS Secretary General, reflects on the progress made on Bible translation throughout 2024: “The global Bible translation movement led by Bible Societies, which began over 220 years ago, celebrates a significant milestone in 2024—providing Scripture in the heart language of over 6.1 billion people. This means that 6 out of every eight people worldwide have the opportunity to read the complete Bible in a language they know and understand best.” 

Progress in Bible Translation 

In 2024, Bible Societies worldwide completed Scripture translations in 105 languages: 

• 74 languages received their first-ever Scripture translations including 13 sign languages, making Scripture accessible to 100 million people,
• 32 language communities received new or revised translation and study editions, benefitting 480 million individuals. 

Thus, the total number of people impacted by Bible translation in 2024 was 580 million, and the total number of people who have the full Bible translated into their heart language is 6.1 billion and 7.5 billion have some Scripture translated into their heart language. While knowing 6.1 billion people now have access to the Bible in their heart language, 48% of the world’s languages or 1.5 billion people have no access to Scripture at all.  

Reaching and Engaging Cultures and Communities 

Endangered Languages: 

Many languages that lack any translation of Scripture are spoken by small communities, and in 2024 Bible Societies provided Scripture texts for 14 endangered languages, including seven languages with fewer than 10,000 speakers. These translations support and ensure smaller communities can access Scripture while safeguarding their cultural identity and preserving their language.  

Digital Bible Access: 

In 2024, UBS also expanded digital access to Scripture through UBS’s Digital Bible Library®, which now holds Scripture translations in 2,250 languages, strengthening the digital accessibility of God’s Word. Making Bible translations online is crucial for accessibility and language preservation as 97% of languages lack a strong digital presence.  

Reaching Deaf Communities: 

UBS has remained committed to reaching deaf communities across the globe in 2024. Out of the world’s 400 sign languages only 72 have some form of Scripture, with only one have a complete Bible. In 2024, 13 sign languages received additional Scripture portions, impacting 1.2 million deaf individuals.  

Supporting Deeper Engagement for Blind Communities: 

Despite many visually impaired individuals’ preferences in wanting to engage with Braille to immerse themselves more deeply and independently in Scripture, less than 10% of the 769 languages with the full Bible currently offer Braille formats. In 2024, UBS introduced Braille Scriptures for 7 languages.  

The ongoing commitment and tireless effort of UBS to get the Bible accessible to everyone, everywhere has meant that now over 6.1 billion people have access to the full Bible in their heart language.