Global Terrorism Index 2026

Source: Mint

Context:

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) in March 2026, highlights major shifts in the global security landscape. The latest report shows Pakistan as the most affected country by terrorism, while India ranks 13th.

What is the Global Terrorism Index (GTI)?

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is an annual report that measures the impact of terrorism across countries worldwide.

Methodology:

• Uses a composite score (0 to 10)
  • 0 = No impact
  • 10 = Highest impact
• Based on indicators such as:
  • Number of terrorist incidents
  • Fatalities
  • Injuries
  • Property damage

Key Highlights of GTI 2026

1. Pakistan Ranked Most Affected Country

• Rank: 1st
• Score: 8.574
• Deaths: 1,139
• Incidents: 1,045

2. India’s Position

• Rank: 13th
• Score: 6.428

Top 5 Most Affected Countries (GTI 2026)

1. Pakistan
2. Burkina Faso
3. Niger
4. Nigeria
5. Mali

Trend:

• High concentration of terrorism in:
  • South Asia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel region)

Global Terrorism Trends (2025 Data)

1. Increase in Incidents Over Time

• Terrorist incidents in 2025 were nearly six times higher than in 2020

2. Decline in Recent Incidents

• Incidents decreased by 22% to 2,944
• Lowest levels recorded since 2007

3. Decline in Deaths

• Terrorism-related deaths reduced by 28% to 5,582

Interpretation:

• While long-term trend shows increase, recent decline indicates partial improvement

Key Observations

1. Shift in Terrorism Epicentres

• Increasing concentration in fragile and conflict-prone regions
• Sahel region emerging as a major hotspot

2. Persistence of Regional Threats

• South Asia continues to face cross-border and internal security challenges

3. Changing Nature of Terrorism

• More localized and decentralized attacks
• Increasing role of non-state actors