The Global Terrorism Index 2026 has been recently published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The report assesses the global impact of terrorism and provides rankings for countries based on terrorism-related indicators.
About Global Terrorism Index (GTI)
The Global Terrorism Index is a comprehensive annual study that:
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Covers 163 countries, representing 99.7% of the world’s population
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Analyses the impact and trends of terrorism globally
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Is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace
It serves as an important tool to understand global terrorism patterns and security risks.
Methodology
The GTI assigns each country a score ranging from 0 to 10:
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0 = No impact of terrorism
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10 = Highest impact of terrorism
The score is a composite index, combining multiple indicators such as incidents, deaths, injuries, and property damage, to rank countries based on the severity of terrorism impact.
Key Highlights of Global Terrorism Index 2026
Global Trends
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Deaths from terrorism declined by 28% globally.
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Terrorist incidents fell by 22%, indicating an overall reduction in global terrorism impact.
Regional Pattern
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Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicentre of terrorism, with six of the ten most affected countries located in the region.
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This highlights the persistent instability and security challenges in the region.
Country Rankings
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For the first time, Pakistan ranks as the most terrorism-affected country in the world.
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India is ranked 13th globally in terms of terrorism impact.
Deadliest Terror Groups (2025)
The report identifies the following as the most lethal terrorist organisations:
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Islamic State (IS)
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Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)
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Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
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Al-Shabaab
These groups remain key drivers of global terrorism incidents and fatalities.
Conclusion
The Global Terrorism Index 2026 highlights a mixed global picture—while terrorism-related deaths and incidents have declined, regional hotspots such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia continue to face significant threats. The report underscores the need for coordinated international counter-terrorism efforts and regional stability measures.