Global Terrorism Index 2026: Pakistan tops the list; Where do India, Israel, US and Iran rank?
The Global Terrorism Index 2026 ranks Pakistan as the top country impacted by terrorism, with a score of 8.57 and significant violence from TTP and BLA. Despite a global decline in terrorism deaths, Pakistan's situation worsened, highlighting regional security risks.
Pakistan has emerged as the country most impacted by terrorism globally. According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, Pakistan is experiencing a sharp resurgence with 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025, its highest level since 2013.
How terroism spiked in Pakistan
With a score of 8.57, Pakistan replaced Burkina Faso as the country most impacted by terrorism. This is the first time since 2011 that Pakistan has been ranked at the top of the Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney-based independent, non-profit think tank.
“Pakistan’s strained relations with its neighbours, combined with rising violence from TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have created significant security risks,” the report noted.
Top 10 countries in Global Terrorism Index 2026
African countries dominated the top 10 list in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Other Asian countries in the top 10 list are Syria (6), Cambodia (9), and Israel (10).
While Afghanistan is at the 11th spot, India is placed 13th on the list, followed by Myanmar.
Global Terrorism Index 2026 India ranking
According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, India has a score of 6.43, with the country recording more than 142 terror-related incidents, more than 100 fatalities, and 118 injuries in 2025.
Iran is ranked 18th in the Global Terrorism Index 2026, while the US is placed in the 28th spot.
Waht is Global Terrorism Index
The Global Terrorism Index is a comprehensive study analysing the impact of terrorism for 163 countries covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
In 2025, the report noted that deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent to 5,582, and incidents decreased by 22 per cent to 2,944, marking the lowest figures since 2007.
Global terror fatalities fell in 2025
Though globally deaths from terrorism have fallen, the study found that in the West, fatalities rose sharply by 280 per cent to 57 in 2025, largely driven by antisemitism, Islamophobia and political terrorism.
Deadliest terror outfits
Among terror outfits, the GTI named the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates as the deadliest terrorist organisation in 2026, responsible for just under 17 per cent of all attacks worldwide.
The four deadliest terrorist organisations in 2025 were IS, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and al-Shabaab. They were collectively responsible for 3,869 deaths, or 70 per cent of all terrorism fatalities.
Iran could become a terror breeding ground
The report also expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict in Iran, saying it could further destabilise the MENA region and increase the risk of groups sympathetic to Iran carrying out terrorist attacks overseas.
It also warned that Iran risks becoming another breeding ground for terrorist militias if it becomes a failed State.
Youth radicalisation and lone-wolf attacks
According to the IEP, youth radicalisation and lone-wolf attacks remain one of the biggest risks globally.
Youth terrorism investigations have risen threefold since 2021, and 93 per cent of all fatal attacks in the West over the same period were lone-wolf attacks, it said.
- Pakistan has overtaken Burkina Faso as the most impacted country by terrorism, highlighting regional security challenges.
- Youth radicalization and lone-wolf attacks are emerging as significant global threats, especially in Western nations.
- The Global Terrorism Index indicates a general decline in terrorism-related deaths worldwide, contrasting with localized surges in specific regions.
About the Author
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
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