Global conflict zones have expanded by two-thirds in the past three years

London - As war spreads and intensifies, the world's conflict zones have expanded by two-thirds in the past three years, with profound implications for global economic growth and food security, according to a new report.

According to the Conflict Intensity Index published by UK-based risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft (VM), the area affected by civil or transnational wars has increased by 65 percent since 2021, from 2.8 percent of the world's total area to 4.6 percent, with a total conflict area of 6.15 million square kilometers, nearly double the size of India. The number of conflict-related deaths also increased by 29 per cent.

Areas where fighting has spread and intensified include Ukraine, Myanmar, the Middle East, and the "conflict corridors" around Africa's Sahel region. According to the Conflict Intensity Index, 27 countries are at significantly higher risk, including Ecuador, Colombia, India, Indonesia and Thailand.

Global conflicts ease amid coronavirus pandemic

Experts say the upward trend in global conflict has been in place for at least a decade and has only been moderated during the coronavirus pandemic.

The director of Armed Conflict Location and Incident Data, a non-profit organization, said that since the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, violence has increased by 27%, with more and more new conflicts and old conflicts not subsizing. She noted that in countries such as Myanmar, the number of armed rebel groups makes it difficult to reach a peace agreement that covers all parties to the conflict.

VM Research Director Brennan pointed out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Yemen's Houthi attacks on Red Sea cargo ships disrupted global supply chains, and global commerce, economic growth and food security will be profoundly affected.

Rosales, director general of SOS Children's Villages International, said 470 million children around the world are affected by conflict, including in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Lebanon.