The number of death sentences being imposed across the world rose by 28% last year.
However there was a drop in the number of executions carried out, which is down 22% on 2013 - excluding those carried out in China.
Amnesty International says 607 were recorded across 22 countries.
Big increases have been seen in Egypt, where in 2013 there were some 109 death sentences handed down - this rose to 509 in 2014.
While in Nigeria, there were at least 141 death sentences in 2013 - and this rose to at least 659 last year.
Amnesty International says the number of death sentences recorded in 2014 jumped by almost 500 compared to 2013, mainly because of sharp spikes in Egypt and Nigeria, including mass sentencing in both countries.
The other countries making up the world's top five executioners in 2014 were Iran (289 officially announced and at least 454 more that were not acknowledged by the authorities), Saudi Arabia (at least 90), Iraq (at least 61) and the USA (35).
Pakistan meanwhile resumed executions in the wake of the Taliban attack on a Peshawar school. Seven people were executed in December, and the government has said it will put hundreds more convicted on “terrorism-related charges to death.
While Belarus - the only country in Europe and Central Asia that executes - put at least three people to death during the year, ending a 24-month hiatus on executions.
Colm O'Gorman of Amnesty International Ireland says China executed the most people in 2014, but he says the true figure there is unknown.
He told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk there should be no death penalty, no matter what the reason.
