ReliefWeb

For the second year in a row, the total number of global deaths caused by terrorism has declined. The reduction in deaths is encouraging, but 2016 was also the third deadliest year since 2000.​

The intensity of global terrorism has decreased yet it continues to spread to an increasing number of countries. There were 77 countries that experienced at least one death from terrorism in 2016. This is more than at any time in the past 17 years with two out of every three countries experiencing at least one terrorist attack. But in good news there have been 22% fewer deaths from terrorism since the peak of terror activity in 2014. This was in part due to significant declines in terrorism in four of the five countries most impacted by terrorism – Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Collectively these four countries recorded 33 per cent fewer deaths.

The report, which is officially launched at the Royal United Services Institute in London today, is a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last 17 years. The report includes:

– Global results and trends

– Terrorism trends in Europe and other developed countries

– Characteristics driving terrorism recruitment

– Profiles of the four most deadly terrorist groups

– Economics of terrorism

Measuring 163 countries, and covering 99% of the world’s population, one of the principle aims of the Global Terrorism Index is to help us to understand the global, regional and local impact of terrorism. With this understanding we can inform a positive practical debate about the future of terrorism and importantly, how we respond.