In 2020, a total number of 4,471 people were kidnapped as a result of terrorism. That was an increase to the year before, where 2,895 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 2020
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. (December 16, 2021). Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 19, 2022, 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 2020." Chart. December 16, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/
US Department of Homeland Security. (2021). Number of worldwide kidnappings due to terrorism from 2007 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 19, 2022. 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 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Dec 2021, 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 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250557/number-of-kidnappings-due-to-terrorism/ (last visited May 19, 2022)
