The University of Peace and the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) have released new findings indicating that the global number of armed conflicts involving state participation reached a record high in 2023, with a total of 59 wars and rebellions. This marks the highest number of conflicts recorded since data collection began in 1946. Previous peaks were observed in 2020 and 2022, each with 56 armed conflicts. Additionally, the number of fatalities caused by armed conflicts has doubled in 2022 compared to previous years, largely due to the deadly civil war in the Tigre region of Ethiopia, which resulted in over 22,000 casualties recorded by the UCDP.

UCDP’s chief analyst, Shon Davis, warns that several large-scale armed conflicts may still occur, particularly in Ukraine, where the war has claimed the lives of over 71,000 people, as well as the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has resulted in over 59,000 casualties according to UCDP. In 2023 alone, there were more than 1,000 armed conflicts worldwide, resulting in over 100,000 fatalities. Major conflicts have greatly impacted Africa, and the conflict in Saudi Arabia is now considered the third most deadly conflict since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Davis adds, “Since 1994, aside from the genocide in Rwanda, the number of casualties in armed conflicts has steadily decreased. However, in the past three years, the total number has been on the rise.” Numerous civilian casualties have also been reported in conflicts involving non-state actors. UCDP has documented over 20,900 casualties in 75 non-state armed conflicts. The majority of these conflicts have occurred in Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, where violence has been concentrated in urban areas and drug cartel territories.

Engelstrom, UCDP’s chief analyst and program director, highlights the increasing spread of this type of violence in Europe as well. The first active armed conflict registered by UCDP in 2023 was in Marseille, France. Engelstrom emphasizes that UCDP’s report underscores the diverse nature of collective violence, including gang violence, as well as the growing involvement of young entrepreneurs.