Signal Civilians the majority of deaths in 14 conflicts; one in six people exposed

Summary

This signal highlights the growing toll that wars take on civilians and the weakening of the rules meant to protect them. UNDP reports that international humanitarian law is increasingly ignored, with civilian deaths mounting and perpetrators rarely held to account. In 2024, civilians made up the majority of those killed in 14 separate conflicts. Exposure is also widespread, with one in six people living with conflict in 2025. This comes as violence spreads through coups, proxy actions, organised crime and information warfare, and as aid organisations face online campaigns that endanger their staff. The trend suggests conflicts are becoming more lethal for non-combatants and harder to constrain.