Global Terrorism Index 2025

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Terrorism in 2024: Overview (Part 3)
Only Burkina Faso and Mali recorded decreases in deaths over the past year. Terrorist activity remains highly concentrated in a small number of countries. Just ten countries accounted for 86 per cent of all terrorism deaths in 2024. This concentration of terrorist activity has intensified over the past decade, with the proportion of total deaths occurring in the Sahel region increasing to over half, from 22 per cent a decade ago. 

Israel recorded the most substantial decline in terrorism deaths in 2024, with fatalities dropping from 1,160 to 18, representing a 98 per cent decrease. This is largely because most terrorism deaths in Israel during 2023 occurred on a single day, as a result of a series of coordinated attacks by Hamas militants. Most of Israel’s deaths in 2024 occurred when assailants killed seven civilians in Tel Aviv in October. Hamas later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Burkina Faso saw the second largest fall in terrorism in 2024, despite continuing to be the most impacted country. This decline came after 200 villagers and soldiers were killed in a JNIM attack in August 2024. In response, the Burkinabé government vowed to prioritise counterterrorism in its security policies. After this attack, only 27 attacks resulting in 144 deaths were recorded over the next four months, compared to 50 attacks and 777 deaths in the four months prior. 

Deaths in Myanmar fell from 356 in 2023 to 24 in 2024. As the crisis in Myanmar deepens, the decline in terrorism deaths is likely linked to the growing strength of rebel groups. With more powerful capabilities, these groups appear to rely less on terror-style attacks, focusing instead on conventional warfare against the junta.

Mali recorded the fourth largest decrease this year, with deaths falling from 763 in 2023 to 604 in 2024, a 21 per cent decrease. This improvement was driven by an 88 per cent decrease in the deaths attributed to Islamic State (IS) in Mali, as well as a halving in the number of attacks attributed to the group. Despite controlling parts of Mali's territory, IS has carried out fewer attacks due to intensified operations by the Malian military. The successful capture of two key IS leaders in January 2025 highlights the importance of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region.

Niger recorded the largest increase in terrorism deaths in 2024, with deaths rising from 479 in 2023 to 930 in 2024. This is the country’s largest recorded death toll since the inception of the Index. 

Pakistan recorded the second largest increase, with deaths rising by 45 per cent to 1,081. Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan since the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan, with the number of attacks increasing fivefold since 2021. The most recent surge in terrorism in Pakistan was primarily driven by increased activity from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is aligned with the Afghan Taliban. Deaths attributed to the group nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024. 

Iran and Russia recorded their highest number of terrorism deaths in a decade, driven by significant attacks carried out by Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISK). These attacks are part of a broader trend of ISK expanding its operations beyond its traditional strongholds in Afghanistan, indicating a potential shift in the group’s strategic focus. In Russia, the surge was largely due to the Crocus City Hall shooting in Moscow, which killed 144 people. ISK claimed responsibility for the attack, making it the group’s deadliest of 2024 and the fourth deadliest attack globally that year. Iran recorded 163 deaths in 2024, an increase from 35 in 2023, with most casualties occurring during a memorial for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader Qasem Soleimani. A bombing at the event killed 95 people, with ISK also claiming responsibility. 

​Global Terrorism Index 2025. Institute for Economics & Peace. Sydney, Australia.