World terror deaths rise by a third

UK-based risk analysis company Maplecroft found that over the last 12 months, global deaths have risen 30% compared to the previous five-year average.

The figures come as part of Maplecroft's Terrorism and Security Dashboard (MTSD), released today, which logs, analyses and maps every reported incident of terrorism worldwide - forming a global ranking of 197 countries on their risk of terror attacks.

It found that in the 12 months before July 1 there were 18,668 fatalities compared to an average of 14,443 for the five years before that - a 29.3% increase.

Over the same period, the MTSD recorded 9,471 attacks - an average of 26 a day - down from a five-year average of 10,468.

According to the dashboard, Iraq has endured the highest number of attacks in the last year with 3,158 incidents, while terrorism in Nigeria is the world's deadliest, recording the highest number of deaths per attack, with an average of 24.

The dashboard, which draws on Maplecroft's seven years of global data to reveal terrorism and security trends across the 197 countries, found that China, Egypt, Kenya and Libya have seen the most significant increases in the risk of terrorist attacks.

Chief executive Alyson Warhurst said: "The dynamic nature of terrorism means individual events are impossible to predict.

"However, up-to-date global intelligence on the intensity, frequency, precise location and type of attacks can help organisations to make informed decisions relating to market entry, security measures for in-country operations, duty of care obligations, supply chain continuity and risk pricing."

The MTSD classifies 12 countries as "extreme risk", including Iraq at the top as most at risk, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Libya. It also includes the growth economies of Nigeria, the Philippines, Colombia and Kenya.

Iraq, rated as the highest risk country, recorded more than three times as many acts of terrorism as Pakistan with 3,158 attacks resulting in 5,929 deaths - an increase of 2,188 on the previous year.

And in Nigeria, the campaign of violence by Islamic militant group Boko Haram saw the country record the highest number of fatalities per attack, with Maplecroft's figures recording 146 reported attacks between July 1 last year and June 30 this year, resulting in 3,477 killed - an average of 24 people killed per attack, compared to two deaths per attack in Iraq.

Maplecroft also warned of the rising risks in China, Egypt, Kenya and Libya and the impact on their economies.

With terrorism incidents in Libya doubling in the last year according to the company, violence is having a toxic impact on its economy, especially its oil sector, while attacks in Egypt have hit its tourism industry, as well as in Kenya, which has been hit by increasing attacks by Somali-based Islamic militant group al Shabaab.

Maplecroft saId June 2014 represented the bloodiest month since the Westgate shopping mall attack in September 2013, with 69 deaths and at least seven wounded, with a single al Shabaab attack on Mpeketoni village, in Lamu County on June 15 responsible for 48 of the deaths.

The MTSD also showed that attacks are on the rise in China, which is ranked 32 on the list and classes as "medium risk". Deaths in 2014 have reached 76, compared to 16 over the first six months of 2013, according to the risk analysis company, and could worsen.

Jordan Perry, a principal political risk analyst at Maplecroft, said: "Libya, Kenya and Egypt are among a handful of countries to witness a significant increase in risk in the MTSD and investor confidence in key sectors, including tourism and oil and gas, has been hurt.

"When faced with rising security costs and decreasing safety for their personnel, companies can, and do, reconsider their country-level commitments."