Global Terrorism Index (GTI)
Why in News?
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 was released on March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). It is making headlines primarily because Pakistan has topped the list for the first time since 2011, overtaking Burkina Faso as the country most affected by terrorism.
About
- Pakistan's Top Rank: Pakistan recorded 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025, its deadliest year since 2013.
- India's Improvement: India is ranked 13th in the 2026 index (up from 14th in the 2025 report), showing a continued trend of improved security despite remaining in the "high impact" category.
- Global Decline: The report highlights a sharp 28% drop in global terrorism deaths (to 5,582) and a 22% decrease in incidents (to 2,944) in 2025, reaching the lowest levels since 2007.
- Map Controversy: The report faced backlash in India due to a graphic that appeared to place parts of Jammu and Kashmir within China.
Key Information
- Top 5 Most Affected Countries:
- Pakistan (Score: 8.574)
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- Nigeria (deaths rose 46% to 750)
- Mali
- Epicentre of Terrorism: Sub-Saharan Africa remains the global epicentre, accounting for over half of all global terrorism deaths, with six of the top ten most-impacted countries located in this region.
- Deadliest Groups: Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates remain the deadliest globally, followed by JNIM and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
- TTP Surge: The TTP was responsible for 56% of terrorism deaths in Pakistan in 2025, driven by a 24% increase in attacks near the Afghan border.
- Western Trends: Terrorism fatalities in the West rose 280% (to 57 deaths) in 2025, largely driven by lone-actor attacks motivated by political tensions and hate speech.
- Technology & Tactics: Groups like FARC in Colombia and ELN have increasingly adopted drone warfare, inspired by innovations seen in the Ukraine conflict.
- Methodology: Published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the index ranks 163 countries based on fatalities, incidents, injuries, and hostages over a five-year weighted average.
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