Killings soar as terrorism spreads globally

MORE COUNTRIES are dealing with historically high levels of terrorism than ever before, according to a major new study.

Analysts calculated that deaths from terrorism globally jumped from just over 11,000 in 2007 to more than 29,000 in 2015, peaking at 32,765 in 2014.

The total number of incidents increased by 326 per cent over the same period, from 2,800 attacks in 2007 to just over 12,000 in 2015.

The latest edition of the Global Peace Index found that the most notable increases have been seen in highly economically developed countries.

It said deaths from terrorism in countries that are in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) rose by more than 900 per cent between 2007 and 2016.

The largest increases occurred in Turkey, France, the US and Belgium, according to the analysis. It does not include the Manchester bombing last week, in which 22 people were killed.

The paper said five countries – Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen – recorded more than 21,000 deaths between them in 2015.

The UK is ranked 41st out of 163 nations in the index – which is a rise of six places compared to the previous year.

The study said: “The Brexit vote in the UK revealed high levels of polarisation within the society, which has resulted in political uncertainty; however, the political scene was relatively stable after the new prime minister was installed.”

Iceland has maintained its position as the world’s most peaceful country, a title it has held since 2008. Canada and Japan also rank in the top 10.