Recent revelations have spotlighted the globe’s prominent shark attack zones, as a detailed map unveils the areas with the highest number of encounters in 2025.

The annual report from the International Shark Attack Files highlights a resurgence in unprovoked shark bites, reaching nearly typical levels after a significant dip in 2024.

In total, 65 shark attacks were documented last year, which is slightly below the decade-long average of 72 incidents. Despite this, 2025 stood out as a particularly lethal year, with nine fatalities recorded, surpassing the usual average of six deaths per year.

The United States emerged as the country with the highest incidence of shark attacks, tallying 25 bites, which constitute 38 percent of the worldwide total.

Nevertheless, Florida maintains its infamous title as the shark attack capital of the world, continuing to lead in the number of attacks.

But the true shark attack capital of the world is once again Florida.

Florida had 11 shark attacks in 2025 – more than the next three states’ totals combined – representing 17 per cent of all unprovoked bites worldwide.

Over half of those bites occurred in Volusia County in east–central Florida.

The world’s shark bite capital was Florida, USA, which accounted for 17 per cent of all unprovoked attacks worldwide. Leah Lendel (pictured), nine, was snorkelling off the shore of Boca Grande, Florida, when a shark attacked and bit her hand

The International Shark Files records attacks from around the world, including records dating back as far as the 1500s.

However, the database only publishes data on ‘unprovoked attacks’, meaning a person did not initiate contact with a shark intentionally or unintentionally.

That rules out any activities that change the shark’s behaviour, such as spear fishing or releasing a shark from a hook or net.

Although the US had the most unprovoked attacks last year, it did not have the most shark–related fatalities.

That dubious honour falls to Australia, which accounted for 32 per cent of the world’s bites but 56 per cent of all deaths.

Last year, Australia also had one of its worst years for shark bites in recent history, recording 21 bites compared to the five–year average of just 13.

This news comes after a flurry of shark attack incidents made headlines during the first months of 2026, during which there were four separate bites in just 48 hours.

Shark attacks in Australia tend to be more dangerous because the country is home to the so–called big three: Bull sharks, tiger sharks, and white sharks.

Surfer Matt Bender nearly lost the use of his arm after being attacked by a shark off Smyrna Beach, Florida. Surfers made up a third of all unprovoked attacks last year

White sharks, colloquially known as the great white, can grow up to 20 feet (six metres) long and have powerful jaws packed with serrated teeth.

Their sheer power and size mean that even a small ‘exploratory’ bite from a white shark can prove deadly.

However, experts warn that the situation could easily have been far worse.

Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, says: ‘If these bites occurred anywhere other than Australia, they would probably have resulted in even more fatalities.

‘Their beach safety is second to none. Within minutes of a bite, they’ve got helicopters airborne ready to respond.’

But the remote locations of some Australian beaches mean that such a timely response is not always possible.

In an early morning incident in November, a Swiss couple in their 20s was attacked by a bull shark while swimming and filming dolphins.

A quick–acting bystander applied a makeshift tourniquet and the man survived after being flown to a local hospital, but the woman died before paramedics could reach the scene.

Australia accounted for 32 per cent of the world’s bites but 56 per cent of all deaths. Pictured: police respond to a fatal shark attack at Dee Why Beach in Sydney, on September 6, 2025 

Australia had more fatal shark attacks last year than any other country. On February 5, 2025, Charlize Zmuda (left) was killed after she was attacked by a shark at Bribie Island in Queensland

Elsewhere in the world, shark attack levels have remained around average, with the exception of a few notable incidents.

An unprovoked attack in Canada marked the country’s first since 2021, during which a paddleboarder escaped uninjured after a white shark took a bite out of his board.

Last year also saw the first unprovoked fatality from a dusky shark bite.

The incident occurred in South Africa during the annual sardine run, in which a massive population of bait fish migrate along the eastern coast.

The migration is a feast for predators, including dusky sharks, and a free diver in the area was fatally bitten by a shark that had been lured close to shore.

While snorkelling and free diving accounted for 15 per cent of injuries, 46 per cent occurred while the person was swimming or wading.

Surfers also made up a large number of victims, accounting for 32 per cent of all unprovoked attacks.

In one incident off the coast of the Canary Islands, a shark attacked a British surfer’s hydrofoil surfboard before biting his leg.

The International Shark Attack File’s yearly report has found that there were 65 shark attacks in 2025, just below the 20–year average of 71

Despite a deep wound in his thigh, the man was able to swim back to shore to receive medical attention.

However, the relatively consistent number of bits per year over the last few decades is actually something of a mystery.

The 10, 20 and 30–year averages for unprovoked bites only differ by four incidents per year, and the number of fatalities has remained unchanged at six.

At the same time, global shark populations have plummeted well below historical levels due to overfishing and climate change.

Mr Naylor says: ‘Out of the 1,200 species, 30 per cent of them are categorised as endangered.

‘That’s a lot, especially because these animals have managed to persist for about 330 million years. They’ve been through the Permian Extinction and Cretaceous Extinction. Clearly, they’re resilient, yet here we are.

The International Shark Attack File also stresses that the risk of being bitten by a shark remains exceptionally low.

While nine people were killed by sharks, lightning strikes are estimated to cause around 24,000 deaths every year and 10 times as many injuries.