Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025

March 10, 2025

GTI Report 2025 is published by the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP). It covers 163 countries, representing 99.7% of the world’s population. The report measures terrorism by looking at the number of attacks, deaths, injuries, and hostages, as well as their overall impact.

Global Terrorism Trends

The number of countries affected by terrorism rose from 58 to 66, reversing nearly a decade of decline. The Islamic State remains the deadliest terrorist organisation. Additionally, lone-wolf attacks in the West have surged, accounting for 93 per cent of recent fatalities. In South Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan are at the forefront of increasing militant activity.

Global Terrorism Trends (2024)

Sahel region is the most affected by terrorism, with over 50% of global deaths.
Islamic State (IS) remains the deadliest terrorist group, causing 1,805 deaths in 22 countries, mainly in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the fastest-growing terrorist group, with a 90% rise in deaths (from 558 fatalities).
Terrorism deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (except Sahel) dropped by 10%, reaching the lowest level since 2016.
Europe saw a sharp rise in terrorism, with attacks doubling to 67.
West saw a 63% increase in attacks, with many suspects under 18.
Antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes surged, especially in the US (200% rise in antisemitic incidents).

Impact of the Gaza Conflict

Middle East instability increased due to the Gaza war, fueling hate crimes in the West.
Terrorism deaths in Iran surged.
Burkina Faso, Pakistan, and Syria had the highest number of terrorism deaths.
Burkina Faso alone accounted for 20% of global terrorism deaths.

Emerging Terrorist Threats

IS Khorasan Province (ISK) is becoming one of the most active terrorist groups, expanding from 1 country to 5 since 2020.
ISK has launched major attacks in Iran and Russia and produces propaganda in 9 languages.
Lone-wolf attacks are rising, with 93% of fatal attacks carried out by individuals without group affiliation.
Online radicalization is increasing, with youth exposed to extremism through social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted messaging apps.

Sahel: The Epicenter of Terrorism

Terrorism in the Sahel has increased nearly 10 times since 2009.
51% of all terrorism deaths in 2024 happened in this region.
Terrorism in Togo reached its worst level ever, showing that attacks are spreading beyond the Sahel.
Competition over gold and uranium resources is worsening the situation.
Niger saw the highest rise in terrorism deaths globally (94% increase to 930 fatalities in 2024).

Terrorism in the Middle East

Terrorist attacks in the Middle East fell by 7%, but the Israel-Palestine conflict remains a major threat.
Syria and Israel are among the top 10 most affected countries.
Turkey is becoming a dominant power in Syria, while Russia, China, and Iran have reduced their involvement.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), once supported by the US, now faces challenges from Turkey.

Hate Crimes and Radicalization in the West

Hate crimes against Jews and Muslims in the US rose sharply after the Gaza war.
Islamophobia increased by 300% in just two months.
Germany saw the worst terrorist attack in Europe in 2024.
42% of terror arrests in the UK involved under-18s.
Western attacks are mostly carried out by self-radicalized individuals, without direct links to groups.

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