The emergence of new data on global terrorism trends has a direct impact on the interests of Spain’s residents. A recent study published by the Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked Spain 64th out of 163 countries in terms of terrorist threat level. This ranking reflects not only the current situation within the country, but also points to potential risks linked to developments in neighboring regions and global dynamics.
While Spain has maintained a relatively stable position, Pakistan has topped the ranking for the first time, becoming the country with the highest level of terrorist activity. According to RUSSPAIN, this surge is associated with the increased influence of radical groups following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The region has seen a rise in attacks and casualties, creating additional security threats not only in Asia but also in Europe.
Global changes
In 2025, the number of terrorism-related deaths worldwide dropped by 28%, and the number of attacks decreased by almost 22%. Despite this, experts note that 70% of all deaths occurred in just five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In North Africa, Egypt was the most vulnerable, ranking 33rd, while Morocco was 100th. For Spain, such shifts in the ranking of neighboring countries may signal new challenges in security and migration.
The report pays special attention to Iran, where escalating conflicts could destabilize the entire Middle East and North Africa region. Over the past ten years, Iran has dropped nearly 30 positions in the index, mainly due to increased separatist group activity along the border with Pakistan. This factor may influence threat dynamics for Europe, given the close ties between these regions.
The role of organizations and emerging threats
In 2025, the most dangerous terrorist organizations are identified as the Islamic State (ISIS) and its affiliates, as well as Jamaat-ul-Nusrat-e-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Al-Shabaab. Together, they account for 70% of all terrorism-related deaths. Although ISIS activity has decreased from 22 to 15 countries, the threat remains significant.
The report notes that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has been linked to 157 terrorist plots in 15 countries over the past five years. Despite a decline in Iran’s long-term capabilities, groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis continue to operate through decentralized networks. This creates unpredictability and makes it harder to forecast future attacks, especially amid deteriorating communications with Tehran.
Trends in Europe and motivation
Western countries have seen an increase in terrorist investigations involving young people and teenagers. In 2025, around 42% of all cases in Europe and North America concerned minors. Most of them had experienced psychological abuse or neglect, which, according to experts, contributes to radicalization.
In Africa, the reasons for joining armed groups differ: 71% of new members cite human rights violations by state forces as their main motivation, while a quarter point to unemployment. This highlights the contrast between European and African trends and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism.
Context and recent developments
In recent years, the Sahel region has remained one of the world’s most dangerous areas in terms of terrorism casualties. Despite a slight decrease in fatalities in 2025, the majority of deaths from terrorist attacks continue to occur here. Similar trends were observed earlier: in 2023 and 2024, the Sahel also led by these indicators. In Europe, according to an analysis by russpain.com, the focus is on preventing youth radicalization and strengthening controls over cross-border threats. Overall, recent trends show that the geography of terrorism is shifting, and new challenges require constant reassessment of security strategies.
