Significant Kidnappings by Nationality for 2014 as of 20 May 2014

The charts show the nationality of hostages in significant kidnappings around the world so far in 2014. It covers incidents tracked in the ICD Hostage Component from Jan. 2014 to 20 May 2014 as of 20 May 2014. 

It does not show hostages whose kidnappings have not yet been made public.

Chinese nationals have by far been the most kidnapped so far in 2014 at 33% (17) of the 52 hostages tracked. Italy and Egypt tied for a distant second at 10% (5). The Netherlands came in third at 6% (3) and the UK, South Korea and Tunisia tied for fourth at 4% (2).

China may continue to see an increase through 2014, however, Western nationals have been specifically identified on 26 Apr. 2014 by al-Qaeda Emir Ayman al-Zawahiri as a prime target to secure the release of jihadi prisoners so there will likely be further increases of Westerners taken. Overall, an increased effort by jihadist groups to take hostages from a wide array of countries to use in exchange for their own prisoners significantly increases the risk of kidnappings around the world for 2014.

Methodology Note:

Significant kidnappings typically include those conducted or likely conducted by terrorist or rebel groups of individuals who fall outside of local national targets. They are kidnappings that are generally more complex and involve additional resources and planning due to the nature of the nationality of the victim or the prominence of his or her employer. This analysis only looked at kidnappings that occurred during the period and not the total number of hostages still being held in these countries. Full records for all kidnappings used in this chart are in the ICD Hostage Component.