Today we release our third Global Terrorism Index. This year, our annual November release has been preceded by devastating terrorist attacks in Pairs, Beirut and Baghdad. It is more important than ever to understand the underlying drivers of terrorism and violent extremism. We hope the data, analysis and research contained within this report will inform policy and ongoing debate. | | TERRORISM CONTINUES TO RISE
Last year, 32,658 people were killed in terrorist attacks, the highest number recorded, and an 80% increase from 2013. Despite being highly concentrated in five countries, terrorism is spreading, with more countries recording attacks and deaths. |  | | TERRORISM IS SPREADING The number of countries to experience at least one or more deaths from terrorist activity has increased from 59 in 2013 to 67 in 2014. This includes OECD countries such as Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada and France. Despite this, just five countries - Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria - account for 78% of all deaths in 2014. It is important to note that over 60% of the countries ranked by the Index experienced no deaths from terrorism. |  | | TERRORISM IN THE WEST
The majority of deaths from terrorism do not occur in the West: only 2.6% of deaths have occurred in the West since 2000. Of the attacks that do occur, lone wolf attackers are the main perpetrators, causing 70% of all deaths in the West over the past 10 years (2006-2014). It is important to note that political extremism, not Islamic fundamentalism, is the main driver of terrorism in Western countries. | | | FOREIGN FIGHTERS
The rise of ISIL has brought with it several challenging dynamics for counterterrorism. The flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria since 2011 is the largest influx in modern times. Current estimates now range from 25,000 to 30,000 fighters, from roughly 100 countries. The flow of foreign fighters does not appear to be diminishing, with over 7,000 arriving in the first six months of 2015. |  | | THE UNDERLYING DRIVERS OF TERRORISM
The two factors most closely associated with terrorism are armed conflict and levels of political violence. |  | | |
