A global report has confirmed the number of attacks and deaths attributed to terrorism are continuing to rise.
In a frightening snapshot of the trend in terror events, the report released on Wednesday shows there were 32,658 people killed in terrorist attacks last year, the highest number recorded, accounting for an 80% increase from 2013.
Despite being highly concentrated in five countries, terrorism is spreading, with more nations recording attacks and deaths.
Australia was ranked 59th out of 162 countries, and was second only to the United States in terms of deaths in Western nations.
The Global Terrorism Index was compiled before the recent devastating terrorist attack in Pairs, which have left at least 129 people dead, as well as in Beirut and Turkey.
The report listed seven terror incidents in Australia in 2014, including the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney, in which Man Haron Manis took 18 people hostage.
"The rise of ISIL has brought with it several challenging dynamics for counter-terrorism," the report said.
"The flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria since 2011 is the largest influx in modern times.
"Current estimates now range from 25,000 to 30,000 fighters, from roughly 100 countries."
The report also warns the flow of foreign fighters does not appear to be diminishing, with more than 7000 arriving in the first six months of 2015.
The number of countries to experience at least one or more deaths from terrorist activity has increased from 59 in 2013 to 67 in 2014, including in OECD countries such as Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada and France.
Just five countries - Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria - accounted for 78% of all deaths in 2014.
Of the 37 deaths from terrorism in Western countries in 2014, 18 people were killed in the United States in 2014. Australia, Canada and Belgium each recorded four fatalities attributed to terrorism.
