China: The number of publishers has increased. In some parts of the mainland, they can openly go door to door without much interference. There are actally buildings now used as Kingdom Halls. Reports of interested persons going back to China from California and the rest of the world and continuing to study there.
Egypt: Witnesses are now able to meet in larger groups. Preaching to muslims is still illegal.
Malawi: The first Asian publisher to be baptised in the country happened this year.
Cyprus: Woman became a Witness not too long ago. Her husband, a Muslim, and opposed to her beliefs, made arrangements for her to return to Iran to be killed by their family for converting. After learning, the Elders quickly got in touch with headquarters for help. Her flight was less than a week away. Through the European Court of Human Rights, Cyprus authorities confined her for six months before addressing her appeal. The court ruled in her favor and she was released from her husband's authority. During her confinement, she was able to preach to over 200 persons.
Peak Publishers | Increase | Percent | Memorial Attendance | Increase | Percent | ||||
Brazil | |||||||||
2007 | 679,211 | 1,697,318 | |||||||
2008 | 699,280 | 20,069 | 3.0% | 1,646,123 | -51,195 | -3.0% | |||
2009 | 708,224 | 8,944 | 1.3% | 1,650,459 | 4,336 | 0.3% | |||
East Timor | |||||||||
2007 | 95 | 343 | |||||||
2008 | 123 | 28 | 29.4% | 374 | 31 | 9.0% | |||
2009 | 148 | 25 | 20.3% | 426 | 52 | 13.9% | |||
United States | |||||||||
2007 | 1,084,005 | 2,353,263 | |||||||
2008 | 1,105,798 | 21,793 | 2.0% | 2,418,903 | 65,640 | 2.8% | |||
2009 | 1,154,275 | 48,477 | 4.4% | 2,469,036 | 50,133 | 2.1% | |||
Worldwide | |||||||||
2007 | 6,957,854 | 17,672,443 | |||||||
2008 | 7,124,443 | 166,589 | 2.4% | 17,790,631 | 118,188 | 0.7% | |||
2009 | 7,313,173 | 188,730 | 2.6% | 18,168,323 | 377,692 | 2.1% |