The Sahel region has solidified its position as the global epicentre of terrorism, accounting for nearly half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide for the third straight year in 2025, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index released Thursday by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

The report, which ranks 163 countries based on terrorism impact—including attacks, deaths, injuries, and hostages—defines terrorism as the systematic use or threat of violence by non-state actors against or in opposition to established authority.

In 2025, the Sahel recorded almost half of the world’s 5,582 terrorism deaths, a slight drop from over half of the 7,555 global deaths in 2024. The region has seen a tenfold surge in terrorism fatalities since 2007, when it represented just 1% of the global total. The epicentre has shifted decisively from the Middle East and North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa’s Sahel belt.

Pakistan topped the index in 2025 with 1,139 deaths—the highest since 2013—driven by resurgent activity from the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch Liberation Army, influenced by the Taliban’s 2021 return in Afghanistan.

Burkina Faso, previously the worst-affected for two years, dropped to second place with 846 deaths (a 45% decline), largely due to an 84% reduction in civilian casualties as jihadist group JNIM (Al-Qaeda affiliate) shifted focus to military targets.

Niger rose to third with 703 deaths (over half civilians), surpassing Mali and Syria. Nigeria climbed to fourth place with 750 deaths—a 46% increase from 2024 and the highest since 2020—fueled by internal instability and rivalry between ISWAP and Boko Haram.

Mali fell to fifth with 341 deaths (down from 604). Jihadist violence, mainly from Islamic State and JNIM, continues spreading to coastal West Africa, with Benin jumping to 19th from 26th.

The report notes discrepancies with other monitors like ACLED, which record higher Sahel jihadism deaths.