India among nations most impacted by terrorism: Study

The US has had the largest improvement in GTI score from 2002-2011, dropping from first to 41st in the index, as the effects of 9/11 dissipated.

"The GTI highlights that many of the countries suffering the most from terrorism have also suffered from foreign military intervention. Although the 'responsibility to protect' is paramount, caution needs to be taken against unwanted consequences," Killelea said.

Only 31 of the 158 countries ranked have not experienced a terrorist attack since 2001.

Since 2002, only 6 per cent of all fatalities have been terrorists, highlighting the effectiveness of terrorism.

The index is the first index to rank countries on the impact of terrorism. It is based on data from the Global Terrorism Database, which is collected by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), headquartered at the University of Maryland.

The index scores 158 countries over the last 10 years and takes into account factors like number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries and property damage.

Other findings of the report show that low-income countries are less affected by terrorism than lower middle- income countries, indicating that poverty is not necessarily a main cause of terrorism.

Private citizens and property are the most common targets of terrorism while the military is targeted in only four per cent of the attacks.

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