2025 marked the highest number of conflicts between states since the Second World War: eight interstate clashes were recorded during the year, including those between Russia and Ukraine, Iran and Israel and India and Pakistan.
65 armed conflicts recorded in 2025: 13 classified as wars
A dizzying escalation if you consider that the number has doubled for the second consecutive year. This is certified by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (Ucdp) of Uppsala University (Sweden), which recorded a total of 65 armed conflicts in which states were involved on one or both sides, the highest number since statistical surveys began in 1946. The data are published in the Journal of Peace Research. “We are witnessing a clear increase in conflicts between states,” comments Shawn Davies, senior analyst at UCDP. “For a long time, wars between states have been relatively rare, but developments in recent years point to increased international tensions and changes in the global security order.” Of the 65 armed conflicts recorded in 2025, 13 were classified as wars, meaning they caused at least 1,000 combat deaths over the year – the highest number since 1992. The number of casualties also increased dramatically, both among combatants and civilians. Overall, around 244,600 people were killed in incidents of organized violence in 2025, making it the second bloodiest year since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The war between Russia and Ukraine remained the world’s bloodiest conflict in 2025.