The year 2024 marked a grim milestone in modern history, witnessing more armed conflicts than any year since the end of World War II. According to recent findings published by The Times, a total of 61 state-based conflicts were recorded worldwide, including 11 that escalated into full-scale wars, defined as those resulting in at least 1,000 battle-related deaths.

This marks a continuation of a concerning trend in global violence. The four years with the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946 have all occurred since 2019: 56 in 2022, 57 in 2020, 59 in 2023, and 61 in 2024.

Civilians face growing risks in modern warfare

Researchers from Sweden have emphasized the heightened danger faced by civilians, who are increasingly targeted in armed confrontations. The study indicates that civilians are not only victims of incidental violence but are often deliberately attacked. Analysts express growing concern over combatants’ failure to distinguish between civilians and armed group members, further escalating humanitarian risks in conflict zones.

Read more: Israeli attacks caused 55% of global civilian deaths, injuries in 2024

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Bloodiest year since WWII?

Last year’s surge in organized violence resulted in the deaths of approximately 160,000 people worldwide, making 2024 the fifth-deadliest year since 1989. Although the 1994 Rwandan genocide remains the deadliest event since World War II, with 823,499 fatalities, 2022 ranks as the most lethal year this century, with 308,614 deaths.

The war in Ukraine remains the deadliest single conflict of the past year, with around 76,000 battle-related deaths reported.

Regional hotspots: Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, more

Among the 11 conflicts categorized as full-scale wars in 2024 are major territorial confrontations and power struggles. These include the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon, the battle against ISIS in Nigeria, and widespread violence in Ethiopia.

In addition to territorial disputes, internal struggles for governance also flared in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. These conflicts, rooted in both political and ideological divisions, contributed heavily to the year’s death toll and instability.

Global military spending hits record $2.7 trillion amid global conflicts

In this context, a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlighted that the world is rearming at its fastest pace since the Cold War, driven by ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza and rising military tensions from Europe to Asia.

Global military spending surged 9.4% year-over-year to $2.718 trillion in 2024, the highest ever recorded by SIPRI and the steepest annual increase since 1988, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

SIPRI warned that this upward trend is set to continue, as many nations have pledged to boost defense budgets further. The United States remains the top spender by a wide margin, allocating nearly $1 trillion, with major investments in F-35 stealth jets ($61.1 billion), new Navy ships ($48.1 billion), nuclear arsenal modernization ($37.7 billion), and missile defense ($29.8 billion).

China ranked second in total military spending with an estimated $314 billion, just under one-third of the US figure.