Terrorism fatalities fell to 6,852 worldwide in 2022, yet the conflict-zone concentration stayed stubbornly high with 89% of deaths occurring in conflict countries. The patterns shift by region and method, from Sahel spikes and ISIS impact to the persistence of bombings, which drove 49% of fatalities from 1970 to 2019. If you only remember headline attacks, these statistics show what the data misses and what it cannot forget.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 6,852 people were killed by terrorism globally, a 9% decrease from 2021, per Global Terrorism Index 2023
- From 2000-2019, terrorism caused 179,570 deaths worldwide, with 95% in conflict zones, per GTD
- Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 48% of global terrorism deaths in 2022 (3,295 deaths), per IEP
- Sub-Saharan Africa had 2,988 deaths but highest attacks (38% global) in 2022, per GTI
- Middle East-North Africa 20% of attacks but 12% deaths in 2022, shift from dominance, per GTI 2023
- Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) 40% of African deaths, 2nd deadliest region, per GTI
- According to the Global Terrorism Database, between 1970 and 2020, there were 201,183 terrorist incidents recorded worldwide
- The Global Terrorism Index 2023 reports that terrorist attacks decreased by 9% in 2022 compared to 2021, totaling 6,701 incidents globally
- From 2013 to 2022, sub-Saharan Africa saw a 193% increase in terrorism deaths, rising from 2,409 to 6,994, per the Institute for Economics and Peace
- ISIS was responsible for 73% of terrorism deaths from 2013-2016 globally, per GTD
- Al-Shabaab conducted 1,861 attacks since 2010, killing 7,715, per GTD
- Taliban perpetrated 7,830 attacks from 2000-2020, per GTD
- Bombings and explosions were used in 52% of terrorist attacks globally from 1970-2020, per Global Terrorism Database
- Private citizens and property targeted in 44% of attacks since 1970, per GTD
- Armed assaults accounted for 37% of incidents 1970-2020, per GTD
In 2022, terrorism killed 6,852 people worldwide, with most deaths concentrated in conflict zones.
Related reading
01 · Category
Casualties and Fatalities30 stats
01
In 2022, 6,852 people were killed by terrorism globally, a 9% decrease from 2021, per Global Terrorism Index 2023
02
From 2000-2019, terrorism caused 179,570 deaths worldwide, with 95% in conflict zones, per GTD
03
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 48% of global terrorism deaths in 2022 (3,295 deaths), per IEP
04
ISIS attacks from 2014-2019 killed 27,947 people, per GTD
05
In Afghanistan, 1,309 terrorism deaths in 2022, down 94% from Taliban takeover peak, per GTI
06
Boko Haram/ISWAP caused 2,899 deaths in Nigeria in 2022, per ACLED
07
The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 victims, the deadliest terrorist incident ever, per GTD
08
Globally, 89% of terrorism deaths occur in conflict countries, per GTI 2023
09
Al-Shabaab killed 1,864 in Somalia 2022, per ACLED
10
From 1970-2020, bombings/explosives caused 49% of terrorism fatalities (46,280), per GTD
11
Sahel region: 4,129 terrorism deaths in 2022, up 53% from 2021, per GTI
12
Iraq: 614 terrorism deaths in 2022, down 39% YoY, per GTD
13
Women and children comprise 20% of terrorism fatalities since 2000, per UN
14
Paris 2015 attacks: 130 killed by ISIS, per GTD
15
Globally, terrorism deaths peaked at 44,490 in 2014, per GTI
16
Burkina Faso: 1,842 deaths in 2022, 86% increase, per ACLED
17
Sri Lanka Easter bombings 2019: 259 killed by NTJ/ISIS, per GTD
18
From 2013-2022, 84,512 terrorism deaths globally, per NCTC
19
Mali: 1,081 deaths in 2022 from JNIM/ISGS, per ACLED
20
Manchester Arena bombing 2017: 22 killed, per GTD
21
Nigeria: 2,348 civilian deaths from terrorism in 2022, per Council on Foreign Relations
22
Oslo/Utøya attacks 2011: 77 killed by far-right extremist, per GTD
23
Syria: 1,946 deaths in 2022, per GTD
24
Christchurch mosque shootings 2019: 51 killed, per GTD
25
JNIM caused 83% of Sahel deaths in 2022 (3,591), per ACLED
26
Pakistan: 579 deaths in 2022, per SATP
27
Bataclan theatre attack 2015: 90 killed, part of Paris attacks, per GTD
28
ISKP Kabul airport bombing Aug 2021: 183 killed, per GTD
29
Ethiopia: 1,368 terrorism deaths in 2022 from OLA/TPLF, per ACLED
30
London 7/7 bombings 2005: 52 killed, per GTD
Interpretation
Casualties and Fatalities Interpretation
While each statistic represents a tragic human toll, the chillingly consistent thread is that terrorism remains predominantly a byproduct of conflict, preying on the vulnerable while its global death count stubbornly ebbs and flows like a grotesque tide.
02 · Category
Geographic Distribution25 stats
01
Sub-Saharan Africa had 2,988 deaths but highest attacks (38% global) in 2022, per GTI
02
Middle East-North Africa 20% of attacks but 12% deaths in 2022, shift from dominance, per GTI 2023
03
Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) 40% of African deaths, 2nd deadliest region, per GTI
04
Afghanistan ranked #1 in GTI 2022 pre-Taliban, now #8 with 1,309 deaths, per IEP
05
South Asia 15% global attacks 2022, led by Pakistan/India, per GTD
06
Western Europe: 0.1% global deaths but 10 countries affected, per GTI 2023
07
Nigeria #3 globally with 2,348 deaths, all Sahel/Lake Chad, per GTI
08
Somalia #4, Burkina Faso #5 in GTI rankings 2023, per IEP
09
Iraq/Syria: 94% drop in deaths since 2014 peak (33,438), per GTI
10
Latin America 5% attacks, Colombia/Myanmar outliers, per GTD
11
North America: 1 attack death in 2022 (U.S.), lowest ever, per GTI
12
Central Asia low impact, 1% deaths, Tajikistan rising, per GTD
13
Southeast Asia: Philippines/Indonesia 200 attacks yearly, per GTD
14
Russia/Caucasus: 100 attacks 2022, ISKP focus, per ACLED
15
India: Jammu Kashmir 70% of 152 attacks 2022, per SATP
16
Turkey: Southeast 80% PKK attacks, per GTD
17
Yemen: 150 attacks 2022, Houthis/AQAP, per ACLED
18
Myanmar: 300 attacks post-coup by ethnic groups, per ACLED
19
Mali #1 Sahel, 1,081 deaths urban/rural mix, per ACLED
20
Europe: France 7 attacks, Austria Vienna 2020 notable, per Europol TE-SAT
21
U.S.: 25 attacks 2022, mostly far-right, per GTD
22
Colombia: Nariño/Cauca hotspots for ELN/FARC dissidents, per GTD
23
Philippines: Mindanao 90% ASG attacks, per GTD
24
Pakistan: KPK/Balochistan 85% of 286 attacks, per SATP
25
Ethiopia Tigray/Oromia 95% of 1,368 deaths, per ACLED
Interpretation
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
Despite its geographic shift, global terrorism remains a grimly persistent shape-shifter: while the Sahel now bleeds disproportionately, the West celebrates near-zero deaths, proving that the world’s pain is still cruelly, and unevenly, distributed.
03 · Category
Incidence and Frequency30 stats
01
According to the Global Terrorism Database, between 1970 and 2020, there were 201,183 terrorist incidents recorded worldwide
02
The Global Terrorism Index 2023 reports that terrorist attacks decreased by 9% in 2022 compared to 2021, totaling 6,701 incidents globally
03
From 2013 to 2022, sub-Saharan Africa saw a 193% increase in terrorism deaths, rising from 2,409 to 6,994, per the Institute for Economics and Peace
04
Europol's TE-SAT 2023 notes 28 jihadist terrorist attacks in the EU in 2022, up from 15 in 2021
05
The U.S. State Department's Country Reports on Terrorism 2022 indicates 149 terrorist incidents in Afghanistan in 2022
06
Global Terrorism Database records 8,125 attacks in 2014, the peak year for incidents since 1970
07
In 2021, the Sahel region experienced 2,313 terrorist attacks, a 28% increase from 2020, per ACLED data integrated in GTI
08
UNODC reports 5,226 terrorism-related events in 2021 across 90 countries
09
RAND Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents logged over 40,000 incidents from 1968-2007
10
The Global Terrorism Database shows a 31% decline in attacks from 2014 peak to 2020
11
In 2022, India recorded 152 terrorist incidents, primarily in Jammu and Kashmir, per South Asia Terrorism Portal
12
Europol TE-SAT 2022 reported 5 completed jihadist attacks in EU in 2021
13
Global Terrorism Index notes 97 countries experienced terrorism deaths in 2022, down from 58 in 2013
14
From 2000-2019, Middle East and North Africa had 51,321 attacks, 45% of global total per GTD
15
In 2020, COVID-19 led to a 22% drop in global terrorist attacks to 5,133, per GTD
16
Nigeria saw 989 attacks in 2022, mostly by Boko Haram and ISWAP, per ACLED
17
The U.S. NCTC 2022 report lists 16,000 terrorist attacks worldwide from 2013-2022
18
Pakistan had 286 attacks in 2022, down 45% from 2021, per SATP
19
Global Terrorism Database indicates ethno-nationalist attacks peaked at 2,500 in 1992
20
In 2023 Q1-Q2, Burkina Faso had 412 attacks, per ACLED
21
IEP GTI 2023: Western Europe saw 12 attacks in 2022
22
Colombia recorded 147 FARC-related attacks in 2016 pre-peace deal, per GTD
23
Syria had 1,219 attacks in 2022, per GTD updates
24
From 1970-2020, unknown perpetrators claimed 38% of GTD incidents
25
Mali attacks rose 71% to 666 in 2022, per ACLED
26
Global attacks fell 25% in 2019 to 4,924, per GTD
27
Philippines had 131 attacks by Abu Sayyaf in 2016-2020, per GTD
28
Somalia: 1,083 attacks in 2022, mostly Al-Shabaab, per ACLED
29
Turkey recorded 297 PKK attacks in 2022, per GTD
30
Global Terrorism Index 2022: Attacks in South Asia dropped 50% since 2014 peak
Interpretation
Incidence and Frequency Interpretation
While global terrorism has thankfully declined from its 2014 peak, this cold comfort is shattered by the grim reality that the threat has not receded but rather violently relocated, concentrating its fury in regions like sub-Saharan Africa where deaths have skyrocketed by 193% in a decade.
More related reading
04 · Category
Perpetrators and Groups29 stats
01
ISIS was responsible for 73% of terrorism deaths from 2013-2016 globally, per GTD
02
Al-Shabaab conducted 1,861 attacks since 2010, killing 7,715, per GTD
03
Taliban perpetrated 7,830 attacks from 2000-2020, per GTD
04
Boko Haram/ISWAP responsible for 35,882 deaths since 2009, per CFR tracker
05
JNIM (AQIM affiliate) conducted 1,200+ attacks in Sahel since 2017, per ACLED
06
PKK carried out 45% of Turkey's attacks since 1982 (over 5,000), per GTD
07
ISWAP overtook Boko Haram as deadlier in 2019, with 1,000+ attacks by 2022, per ACLED
08
Hamas launched 20,000+ rockets since 2001, per Israel MFA
09
FARC was responsible for 27% of Colombia's attacks 1970-2016 (3,854), per GTD
10
Al-Qaida in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) conducted 200+ attacks since 2009, per CSIS
11
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) revived with 250 attacks in 2022, per SATP
12
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) responsible for 1,200 kidnappings since 1991, per GTD
13
Shining Path (SL) caused 31% of Peru's attacks 1980-1990s (4,700+), per GTD
14
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) behind Mumbai 2008 (166 killed), 500+ attacks since 1990, per SATP
15
ISIS-Khorasan (ISKP) conducted 100+ attacks since 2015, including Kabul 2021, per GTD
16
ETA (Basque) perpetrated 829 attacks 1968-2010, killing 829, per GTD
17
IRA Provisional faction responsible for 1,800 attacks during Troubles, per GTD
18
Al-Qaida core group conducted 25 high-profile attacks 1990-2010, per GTD
19
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) behind Bali 2002 (202 killed), 100+ attacks SE Asia, per GTD
20
OLA (Oromo Liberation Army) 800+ attacks in Ethiopia since 2018, per ACLED
21
Far-right extremists conducted 450 attacks globally 1990-2020, per GTD
22
Hezbollah linked to 1,100+ attacks worldwide since 1982, per GTD
23
Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) 2,000+ attacks Uganda/CAR 1987-2020, per GTD
24
Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) 300+ attacks Pakistan since 2010, per SATP
25
Caucasus Emirate/IS 500+ attacks Russia 2000-2015, per GTD
26
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 1,500 attacks Philippines pre-2014, per GTD
27
Houthi rebels 200+ cross-border attacks on Saudi since 2015, per ACLED
28
White supremacists responsible for 73% of U.S. extremist murders 2009-2018, per ADL
29
ELN (Colombia) 1,200 attacks since 2016 peace deal FARC, per GTD
Interpretation
Perpetrators and Groups Interpretation
The grim ledger of terror shows that while a small number of groups monopolize the headlines and the lion's share of bloodshed, the true threat is a persistent hydra of localized insurgencies and ideological franchises, each carving its own gruesome niche in history.
05 · Category
Targets and Methods27 stats
01
Bombings and explosions were used in 52% of terrorist attacks globally from 1970-2020, per Global Terrorism Database
02
Private citizens and property targeted in 44% of attacks since 1970, per GTD
03
Armed assaults accounted for 37% of incidents 1970-2020, per GTD
04
Transportation targets hit in 10% of attacks, often buses/trains, per GTD
05
Vehicle ramming used in 214 attacks since 1970, rising post-2015, per GTD
06
Religious figures/institutions targeted in 8% of attacks, spiking with jihadists, per GTD
07
Assassinations comprised 12% of tactics (24,000 incidents), per GTD
08
Suicide attacks numbered 5,945 from 1982-2020, 50% by ISIS/Taliban, per Chicago Project on Security and Threats
09
Business targets hit in 15% of attacks, often kidnappings, per GTD
10
Firearms used in 44% of fatal attacks, per GTD
11
Government targets 13% of incidents, diplomatic most lethal, per GTD
12
Hostage taking/kidnapping in 5% of attacks (10,000+), per GTD
13
Educational institutions targeted 500+ times since 1970, 40% post-2010, per GTD
14
Drones used in 25 terrorist attacks since 2017, mostly ISIS, per New America
15
Maritime targets attacked 300 times since 1970, per GTD
16
Chemical/biological weapons in 0.3% of attacks (78 incidents), per GTD
17
Police targeted in 20% of attacks in democracies, per GTD
18
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in 30% of Iraq/Afghan attacks 2004-2014, per GTD
19
Journalists targeted 1,200 times, 300 killed since 1970, per GTD/CPJ
20
Cyber terrorism attempts numbered 1,000+ but few successful, per CSIS
21
Markets/bazaars frequent targets in Sahel (25% attacks), per ACLED
22
Airports targeted 200 times, deadliest post-9/11, per GTD
23
Tourists/foreigners hit in 4% but 10% fatalities, per GTD
24
Knives/melee in 5% rising with lone actors, 500+ since 2015, per GTD
25
Utilities/energy infrastructure 300 attacks since 1970, per GTD
26
Military targets 22% of attacks but low lethality, per GTD
27
Nightclubs/bars targeted 150 times, e.g., Pulse 2016 (49 killed), per GTD
Interpretation
Targets and Methods Interpretation
Terrorism is a grim, shape-shifting cowardice that, according to decades of data, has settled on a brutal preference for explosives against everyday people in public spaces, proving it cares less for grand political theater than for the raw, bloody spectacle of shattering ordinary life.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Terrorism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/terrorism-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Terrorism Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/terrorism-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Terrorism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/terrorism-statistics.
Sources & references
18 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level