Country

  • 🌍 All countries 6
  • Australia 0
  • Brazil 0
  • Canada 0
  • China 0
  • France 0
  • Germany 0
  • Greece 0
  • Hong Kong 0
  • India 1
  • Iran 1
  • Italy 0
  • Japan 0
  • Nigeria 0
  • North Korea 0
  • Pakistan 0
  • Russia 0
  • Saudi Arabia 0
  • Singapore 0
  • Thailand 0
  • Turkey 0
  • UK 1
  • USA 3

Category

6 bans

Books ✕

Banned books around the world, country by country. Pick a country to see only its bans.

IranBannedThe Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)Banned as blasphemous; in 1989 Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the author's death.BooksSince 1988Details →USARestrictedGender Queer (Maia Kobabe)The most challenged book in the US in 2021–2023 according to the American Library Association; removed from many school libraries.BooksSince 2021Details →USARestrictedMaus (Art Spiegelman)Removed from the curriculum by a Tennessee school board in January 2022, which led to a sales surge.BooksSince 2022Details →USARestrictedThe Bluest Eye (Toni Morrison)One of the most often challenged books in US schools; removed in a number of districts.BooksDetails →UKBan liftedSpycatcher (Peter Wright)The government tried to block the MI5 memoir; the courts lifted the restrictions in 1988.BooksBanned 1987Details →IndiaBan liftedThe Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)Import was banned in 1988; in 2024 the Delhi High Court said the ban notification could not be found and closed the case.BooksBanned 1988Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country bans the most books?

In our list, USA (3), followed by UK (1) and Iran (1).

Have any of these bans been lifted?

Yes, including Spycatcher (Peter Wright) (1987) and The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie) (1988). Lifted bans stay on the list, marked "Ban lifted", so you can see how the rules changed.

Is this list up to date?

We review entries regularly and add new bans as they happen. Laws change, so check an official government source before you travel or act on this information.

Laws change often and many bans have exceptions. This list is for general information, not legal or travel advice. Check official government sources before you travel. Last updated: 12/10/2026.