The year 2025 has seen the persistent and deadly scourge of terrorism continue to devastate communities worldwide, with a new report pinpointing the nations bearing the heaviest burden. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) for 2025, published by Visions of Humanity, has unveiled its annual ranking, highlighting the countries most severely impacted by terrorist violence, displacement, and economic ruin.
The GTI 2025 Ranking and Methodology
The Global Terrorism Index provides a stark, data-driven picture of how extremist violence shapes societies and economies across different regions. The index for 2025 calculates its composite score based on several critical factors, including the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages taken. This data is then processed using a weighted average that considers the last five years, offering a nuanced view of the ongoing impact.
According to the findings, six of the top ten most affected countries are located in Africa, underscoring a profound and deepening security crisis, particularly in the Sahel region. The list reveals a troubling continuity of violence and highlights the complex challenges facing national governments and international stakeholders.
The Top 10 Most Affected Countries
1. Burkina Faso: For the second consecutive year, Burkina Faso tops the list as the country most impacted by terrorism. Sustained and brutal attacks by jihadist factions, notably those linked to JNIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims), have ravaged the nation. These groups have executed deadly raids on military posts, looted equipment, and burned camps, killing soldiers and instilling widespread fear among civilians. Their tactics are strategically aimed at seizing territory and crippling state governance, depicting a deep Sahel crisis.
2. Pakistan: Ranked second, Pakistan has faced a significant surge in extremist activity throughout 2025. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been described as the world's fastest-growing terrorist group. A sharp month-on-month rise in fatalities was recorded early in the year, with most concentrated in Balochistan. This persistent insurgency has strained security resources, damaged local economies, and adversely affected Pakistan's global standing and investor confidence.
3. Syria: Syria's fragmented conflict landscape continues to provide fertile ground for extremist groups. Reports indicate that ISIS is attempting a resurgence through revived cells, recruitment drives, and propaganda. While Syrian operatives have foiled multiple plots, the threat remains fluid and destructive. Terrorism has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis by driving displacement, weakening institutions, and complicating aid access in contested territories.
4. Mali: Locked in a cycle of conflict under military rule, Mali sees jihadist groups actively contesting territory and striking security forces. Heavy fighting with JNIM in western Mali and drone-supported counter-operations have occurred, yet insecurity persists. Affiliates of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State operate primarily as insurgents, using terrorism tactically to control land and weaken the state's presence.
5. Niger: Facing cross-border militant pressures, Niger has joined Mali and Burkina Faso in announcing a joint anti-jihadist force under the Alliance of Sahel States. This 5,000-troop initiative aims to integrate aerial, ground, and intelligence operations. However, escalating jihadist violence has intensified a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing civilians and limiting their access to essential services, while also disrupting livelihoods and straining state capacity.
6. Nigeria: Nigeria's security situation has deteriorated, moving it to sixth place in the GTI 2025. The country faced a series of deadly attacks in the first half of the year, with thousands reported killed. Spikes in insurgency, banditry, and communal violence were seen across regions. Widespread kidnappings and abductions, especially in the North-West and North-Central zones, have disrupted daily life and economic activity. The rise in the index reflects worsening security indicators and the emergence of new violent groups.
7. Somalia: Somalia's security landscape remains volatile, with Al-Shabaab continuing to threaten towns and rural areas despite government gains. Heavy clashes also occurred during Puntland operations against ISIS. While external assistance, including drone strikes, has supported local offensives, the threat from Al-Shabaab and ISIS affiliates remains significant for governance and service delivery.
8. Israel: Israel has experienced persistent terrorist threats, though official briefings noted a sharp decline in attacks in the West Bank during 2025 compared to previous years. An IDF operation launched in January was cited as a key factor in dismantling networks and reducing incident frequency. However, conflict and counter-operations in Gaza continued.
9. Afghanistan: United Nations monitoring teams warn that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) remains the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan and the wider Central Asian region. The group has carried out high-impact attacks against minorities, media, and Taliban security forces, affecting regional stability.
10. Cameroon: Cameroon continues to experience heightened insecurity from attacks by non-state armed groups in the Far North and Anglophone regions. Persistent conflicts with Boko Haram-linked militants in the north and separatist violence in the south-west and north-west have weakened the nation. Recurring attacks have increased fear and disrupted local economies and public life for millions.
Implications and the Nigerian Context
The GTI 2025 findings underscore a grim reality: extremist groups have successfully destabilised nations, leaving millions vulnerable to insecurity and protracted humanitarian crises. The concentration of affected countries in the Sahel highlights a region grappling with institutional fragility following coups and the drawdown of external forces.
For Nigeria, the rise to sixth place is a sobering indicator of the security challenges at hand. In response, President Bola Tinubu, in a recent budget speech, announced a sweeping new national security doctrine aimed at resetting the country's security architecture. The doctrine is anchored on unified command, enhanced intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency, with the government emphasizing clear accountability for security spending outcomes.
The Global Terrorism Index serves as a crucial reminder of the long-term, multifaceted impact of terrorism—not just in lives lost, but in economies shattered, communities displaced, and the very fabric of societies torn apart. The road to stability for the nations on this list remains arduous and complex.
