Which countries have seen a significant rise in left-wing or right-wing extremist movements in 2024?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, several countries have indeed experienced a significant rise in extremist movements in 2024, with right-wing extremism being the dominant trend. The data reveals a complex global picture with regional variations in extremist activity.

In the United States, right-wing extremism has shown particularly concerning growth patterns. The analyses indicate that most domestic terrorists are on the right, with right-wing attacks accounting for the vast majority of fatalities from domestic terrorism ^[1]. More specifically, 5 of the 7 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2023 were linked to individuals with far-right sympathies or connections, suggesting a notable rise in right-wing extremist activity continuing into 2024 ^[2]. Historical data reinforces this trend, showing that the majority of domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 have been attributed to right-wing extremism ^[1].

Europe presents a mixed but concerning picture. While one analysis notes a drop in extremist mobilization in the US, it simultaneously reports steady levels of activity in Europe, along with the rise of far-right parties and their increasing influence on decision-making ^[3]. The European Union's terrorism assessment reveals a rise in terrorist attacks and arrests across EU Member States in 2024 ^[4]. The Europol TE-SAT 2025 report specifically flags a "worrying rise in the number of minors and young people getting involved in terrorist and violent extremist activities" and emphasizes the exploitation of online platforms by extremist groups across EU member states ^[5].

Left-wing extremism appears to be significantly less prominent in the data. The analyses consistently highlight right-wing extremist violence as being more frequent and lethal than left-wing violence, particularly in the US context ^[1]. This suggests that while the question asks about both left and right-wing movements, the evidence points overwhelmingly toward right-wing extremism as the primary concern in 2024.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements missing from a simple assessment of extremist rise. The role of technology and social media emerges as a critical factor, with multiple sources highlighting how online platforms have become key tools for radicalization and recruitment ^{[6] [5]}. This digital dimension represents a fundamental shift in how extremist movements operate and spread their influence.

Age demographics present another crucial missing element. The concerning trend of minors and young people becoming involved in terrorist and violent extremist activities suggests that extremist movements are successfully targeting and recruiting younger demographics ^[5]. This indicates a potential long-term sustainability issue for these movements that extends beyond immediate 2024 concerns.

The analyses also suggest that mainstream political integration of far-right ideologies has occurred, with far-right parties gaining increasing influence on decision-making processes in Europe ^[3]. This represents a shift from fringe movements to more institutionalized political influence, which may not be captured in traditional extremism metrics.

Historical context is also significant but underemphasized. The current political climate has contributed to the growth of far-right ideologies, and addressing the underlying causes of domestic extremism is crucial for long-term solutions ^[6]. This suggests that 2024's trends are part of longer-term societal and political developments rather than isolated phenomena.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself contains potential bias through its false equivalency between left-wing and right-wing extremist movements. The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that right-wing extremism represents the dominant threat, with left-wing extremism being significantly less prominent in terms of both frequency and lethality ^[1]. By asking about both equally, the question may inadvertently suggest a balance that doesn't exist in the actual data.

Additionally, the question's focus on "significant rise" may obscure important nuances in the data. While overall terrorist incidents in the West dropped to their lowest level since 2007, the proportion of right-wing attacks has increased ^[2]. This means that while absolute numbers may be lower, the relative dominance of right-wing extremism has grown, which represents a different type of "rise" than simple numerical increases.

The geographic scope of the question may also be misleading, as it asks about "countries" generally without acknowledging that the available data focuses primarily on Western nations, particularly the US and EU member states. This could create false impressions about global extremist trends when the evidence base is more regionally specific.