A new report from the Institute for Economics and Peace indicates that youth represent about 42% of all terrorism-related investigations in Europe and North America, reflecting a rising security concern in these regions. Although the overall impact of terrorism in the West has decreased compared to a decade ago, the involvement of minors and youth in terrorism issues has emerged as one of the most significant challenges facing governments.
The report, titled Global Terrorism Index 2026, noted that the process of radicalization has become faster than ever, with incitement potentially occurring within weeks or even days, rather than months or years as was previously the case. This acceleration is attributed to the proliferation of short propaganda online, enhanced content algorithms, and the exploitation of developmental vulnerabilities among youth.
Details of the Event
The report states that the age group targeted by terrorist networks ranges from 15 to 25 years, but cases of recruitment and ideological indoctrination of children as young as eight years have been documented. Recent years have seen a notable increase in the number of minors involved in terrorist activities, with the number of related investigations rising significantly, reaching three times the figures since 2021.
In 2024, teenagers were responsible for about two-thirds of arrests linked to the Islamic State in Europe. For instance, Belgian intelligence reported that one-third of its terrorism investigations between 2022 and 2024 involved minors.
Context and Background
Despite the low impact of terrorism in Western and Central Europe, where the region recorded 14 deaths and 51 terrorist incidents in 2025, countries like Germany, France, and Greece continue to suffer from the effects of terrorism. Germany experienced the highest number of deaths and injuries, with six fatalities resulting from five terrorist attacks.
The largest attack occurred in Munich in February 2025, when a 24-year-old drove his car into a protest gathering, resulting in two deaths and injuring 39 others. Since 2011, Germany has recorded 221 attacks and 53 fatalities due to terrorism, while France has seen 281 fatalities since 2007.
Consequences and Impact
The ongoing political polarization, rising anti-Semitic violence, and rapid online radicalization continue to create an environment that makes terrorism a persistent threat. While the overall impact of terrorism remains moderate in Germany and low in France and Greece, these countries rank low in global assessments.
In 2025, Austria was the only EU country to experience a significant increase in the impact of terrorism, while six countries in the EU reported no terrorism-related incidents, including Romania, Hungary, and Estonia.
Impact on the Arab Region
The rise of radicalization among youth in Europe and North America raises concerns in the Arab region, as these phenomena could affect the stability of Arab countries, especially amid the difficult economic and social conditions faced by some nations. Furthermore, European experiences in combating radicalization may offer important lessons for Arab countries in how to address this phenomenon.
In conclusion, addressing the issue of radicalization among youth requires international cooperation and the exchange of experiences among countries to tackle these growing challenges.