The annual Global Terrorism Index, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, has revealed a remarkable decline in global terrorist activities, with attacks decreasing by 22% and fatalities dropping by 28% last year. These figures reflect levels not seen since 2007.
The year 2025 marked the largest annual reduction in terrorist incidents since the spike between 2020 and 2021. This positive shift signifies a stabilization in several crucial regions, leading to fewer attacks and casualties in a total of 81 countries worldwide.
Terrorism, particularly defined as violence perpetrated by non-state actors for political or religious motivations, is now primarily concentrated in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights a year in which numerous areas once plagued by terrorism made significant strides towards peace and stability.
Turkey, for instance, has shown commendable improvement, rising four places in the index. This progress is largely attributed to the conclusion of a 40-year conflict between the Turkish government and the PKK, a Kurdish militant group. The group’s founder, Abdullah Öcalan, has recently called for its dissolution, acknowledging that violence has reached its limits.
Afghanistan is also on a path of improvement, having exited the top 10 countries most affected by terrorism for the first time since the US-led invasion began in 2002. Iraq has climbed three spots, reflecting ongoing socio-economic advancements in a nation that has faced decades of conflict, which the UN’s chief coordinator described as “unrecognizable and remarkable.”
Tunisia, despite facing an insurgency in its southwestern mountains, has made significant progress, now experiencing a level of terrorism comparable to that in countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and Canada. Libya, once considered a failed state, has also improved its position by four places, now ranking alongside Italy—an impressive milestone for the nation.
Other countries like Algeria, Oman, Bangladesh, and Jordan also saw substantial improvements. Notably, the Ivory Coast advanced 11 positions and is now considered safer from terrorism than many Western nations.
Despite the overall decrease in violence, it’s important to note that 70% of all deaths from terrorist attacks occurred in just five countries: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Pakistan. Encouragingly, both Burkina Faso and Niger reported 900 fewer fatalities from terrorism compared to the previous year.
In Pakistan, a significant portion of terrorism is linked to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group pursuing independence for its region. Their struggle is akin to the UK’s historical conflict with the Irish Republican Army, indicating a focused political agenda rather than a broader terrorist campaign.
Overall, these findings paint a hopeful picture of a global landscape increasingly conducive to peace and stability, highlighting the power of resilience and cooperation in overcoming challenges.
