Deaths From Terrorism Fall For Fifth Consecutive Year

There have been very few snippets of good news in 2020 but that is finally starting to change now that several viable vaccine candidates are in place to play a crucial role in ending the pandemic. More good news has emerged today as another one of humanity's scourges is trending downwards. According to the 2020 Global Terrorism Index released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, deaths from terrorism have now decreased for the fifth consecutive year. 13,826 people died due to terrorist acts last year, 15.5 percent fewer than in 2018 and 59 percent fewer than in 2014. That marked a peak in terrorism-related deaths when 33,438 people lost their lives, primarily as a result of brutal ISIS conquests in Syria and Iraq.

Conflict was the primary driver or terrorism last year with 96 percent of all deaths recorded in countries in a state of conflict. While the fall in deaths has been primarily attributed to a reduction in the intensity of conflicts in the Middle East (especially the decline of ISIS), it was not just limited to that region. Falling death tolls were also reported in North Africa, Russia & Eurasia, South America and South Asia. The research does urge caution, however, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat in many countries with 63 recording at least one-terrorism related death in 2019.