Recent aerial imagery shows the movement of Gazans toward Gaza City in January 2025, highlighting the ongoing displacements in the region. Data underscores a rise in global wars, reaching levels not seen since World War II. Researchers at a Swedish university documented the highest count of state conflicts and fatalities since the Rwandan genocide.
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) at Uppsala University identified 65 active conflicts in 2025. This includes eight direct state conflicts, the highest since UCDP started collecting data in 1946. Notable conflicts include Russia-Ukraine, Iran-Israel, India-Pakistan, Thailand-Cambodia, and Israel’s actions in Syria and Yemen. Other significant skirmishes encompass the Afghanistan-Pakistan border conflict and Red Sea tensions involving the U.S., U.K., and Yemen’s Houthis.
“We observe a marked increase in state disputes. Previously rare, interstate wars reflect rising global tensions and evolving security dynamics,” explained Shawn Davies, UCDP senior analyst.
Intrastate conflicts accounted for the remainder of the active conflicts. These involve governmental forces clashing with internal rebel factions.
High Fatality Rates Since the Rwandan Genocide
The number of fatalities peaked, with approximately 244,600 deaths recorded in 2025, an increase from 187,000 in 2024. Therése Pettersson from UCDP highlighted that the data not only depicts more conflicts but also an escalation in deadly violence, particularly against civilians in Sudan.
Violence is categorized into state-based conflicts, non-state clashes, and one-sided violence targeting civilians. Eleven conflicts escalated to war level, characterized by over 1,000 battlefield deaths annually.
Russia-Ukraine: Deadliest 2025 Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine was the deadliest of 2025, with 77,700 Russian and 14,000 Ukrainian fatalities. Data from UCDP, sourced from varied open sources, indicated increased Russian losses and stable Ukrainian casualties. The Israel-Hamas conflict saw 14,400 fatalities, a decrease from the prior year due to ceasefire negotiations. Sudan experienced 12,200 deaths primarily from government forces battling the paramilitary RSF, coupled with civilian mass killings by RSF.
Global conflicts have surged over the past decade, impacted by shifts in international order, notably influenced by U.S. policies. The 2025 National Security Strategy hinted at changing global dynamics, questioning the Pax Americana era. Responding to whether U.S. policy under Trump contributed to rising wars, Pettersson clarified that their data doesn’t establish direct policy-conflict links. Interstate conflicts have been climbing for over a decade, separate from any single political administration.
The report hints at enduring global unrest, with 2026 showing trends similar to the previous year, maintaining high levels of international conflict.