In 2023, more armed conflicts occurred than in any year since the conclusion of World War II, according to a new study.

The Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) reported that 59 armed conflicts took place worldwide last year, primarily driven by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Twenty-eight of these conflicts occurred in Africa, followed by Asia with 17 and the Middle East with 10. Europe witnessed just three conflicts, and there was one in the Americas.

Despite the rise in conflicts, the number of countries experiencing these conflicts dropped from 39 in 2022 to 34 in 2023.

The increase in conflicts can partly be attributed to the spread of ISIL (ISIS) across Asia and the Middle East, as well as the involvement of an increasing number of non-state actors, complicating the efforts of NGOs, the report noted.

"This trend makes it increasingly challenging for entities like aid organizations and civil society groups to navigate the conflict landscape and enhance the lives of ordinary individuals," said Siri Aas Rustad, PRIO researcher and the primary author of the report.

Data compiled by Sweden’s Uppsala University from nongovernmental and international organizations indicated that the number of deaths in combat halved last year to 122,000.

However, this figure remains the third highest since 1989. The previous three years have seen more conflict-related deaths than any time in the past three decades, largely driven by the civil war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the offensive on Gaza.

"Global violence is at a peak not seen since the end of the Cold War," Rustad said.

"These numbers suggest that the conflict landscape has become increasingly intricate, with more conflict actors operating within the same country."