Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and 8 other...

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, the 13th edition by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), ranks 163 countries by terrorism impact using four indicators: incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages over five years.

Globally, terrorism showed a notable decline. Deaths fell 28% to 5,582, and attacks dropped nearly 22% to 2,944 — the lowest since 2007. Improvements occurred in 81 countries, while only 19 deteriorated, the lowest number in the Index’s history.

Despite global progress, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicentre, with six of the top ten countries located there. Terrorism is highly concentrated: nearly 70% of all deaths occurred in Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Top 10 Countries by Terrorism Impact

1. Pakistan — Score: 8.574

Pakistan tops the Index for the first time. Rising violence from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), along with cross-border militant activity from Afghanistan, has escalated attacks. Terrorist deaths reached 1,139 with 1,045 incidents in 2025. A single attack took 442 hostages.

In February 2026, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar after escalating cross-border conflicts, reflecting heightened security risks in the region.

2. Burkina Faso — Score: 8.324

Burkina Faso recorded the largest global reduction in terrorism deaths in 2025, falling 45% to 686. However, attacks became deadlier, with the largest single attack killing 120 soldiers. Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) shifted tactics toward fewer but more lethal strikes, primarily targeting police and military forces. The country remains second due to the cumulative impact of prior years.

3. Niger — Score: 7.816

Niger saw a drop in terrorism deaths from 944 to 703, reflecting fewer civilian-targeted attacks. Yet, jihadist activity across the Sahel tri-border region (Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso) persists, maintaining its high index ranking. Niger remains vulnerable to spillover violence and is central to regional conflicts.

4. Nigeria — Score: 7.792

Nigeria experienced a 46% rise in fatalities, totalling 750 deaths in 2025. Boko Haram and ISWAP were responsible for 80% of deaths. IS attacks increased from 20 to 92. The Lake Chad Basin continues to be a militant hub, with governance gaps and humanitarian crises facilitating recruitment.

5. Mali — Score: 7.586

Mali remains a core theatre for JNIM. Attacks on fuel tankers aimed to create economic disruption. Political instability, military coups, French troop withdrawal, and the departure of UN forces (MINUSMA) created security vacuums exploited by jihadists. Vast Saharan territories serve as training grounds for regional attacks.

6. Syria — Score: 7.545

Syria faced 238 Islamic State attacks in 2025, the highest globally. The collapse of Kurdish forces in the northeast, US troop withdrawal, and mass escapes from IS detention camps heightened risks. Over 20,000 IS-affiliated individuals escaped earlier in the year, amplifying threats across Syria and Iraq.

7. Somalia — Score: 7.391

Al-Shabaab’s Shabelle Offensive advanced to within 50 km of Mogadishu in 2025, exploiting African Union mission transitions and political fractures. Despite a decline in deaths, the group remains operationally capable, sustaining prolonged insurgency against the Somali federal government and partners.

8. Democratic Republic of the Congo — Score: 7.171

The DRC reached its worst-ever GTI position. Terrorist deaths rose 28% to 467, driven by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which targeted civilians, churches, hospitals, and funerals. IS integration complicates counterterrorism efforts in eastern Congo’s dense forests.

9. Colombia — Score: 7.116

Colombia re-entered the top ten due to a 70% rise in terrorism deaths. Dissident FARC factions and the ELN adopted drone warfare, with 77 attacks recorded. The failure of peace negotiations and the technological sophistication of armed groups contributed to the surge, making South America a growing terrorism hotspot.

10. Israel — Score: 6.790

Israel remains in the top ten. The February 2026 US-Israel military operation against Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes, raised terrorism risks. Long-standing proxy networks, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, compound threats. Israel’s ranking reflects the sustained threat environment following the 2023 Hamas attacks.