The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), spanning from the east coast of Africa to the west coast of Australia, contains around 36 countries and a population of approximately 2.5 billion. The IOR has been a critical crossroads of international trade for centuries and remains so.

Briefer published by the Council on Strategic Risks, June 2025. 
Published by the European Commission, June 2025. 
Fact Sheet published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), June 2025. 
Report published by the Environment & Development Resource Centre (EDRC), May 2025.