Trends in State-Based Armed Conflict: 1946–2021

In 2021, there were 54 active armed conflicts in the world, down from 56 in 2020. While there was a slight decrease in the number of armed conflicts, the number of battle-related deaths increased significantly. The increase in 2021 breaks a five-year downward trend in battle-related deaths. 85% of the battle-related deaths in 2021 are linked to five wars – in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen.