In 2022, a total number of 4,508 people were kidnapped as a result of terrorism. That was a decrease to the year before, when 5,612 people were kidnapped. The most recorded kidnappings in the years included in this statistic was in 2016 with 15,664 cases.
Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).
Data for 2007 to 2017 has been taken from respective previous publications.
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US Department of Homeland Security. (April 15, 2023). Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/
US Department of Homeland Security. "Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022." Chart. April 15, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/
US Department of Homeland Security. (2023). Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/
US Department of Homeland Security. "Number of Worldwide Kidnappings Due to Terrorism from 2007 to 2022." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/
US Department of Homeland Security, Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2022 [Graph], US Department of Homeland Security, April 15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/