The 18th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. The Index report provides analysis on trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies. The GPI is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), which is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank.
According to the Index, the average level of country peacefulness deteriorated by 0.56 percent. “This is the fifth consecutive year that global peacefulness has deteriorated.” In the past year, 65 countries improved, while 97 countries recorded deteriorated in peacefulness. Depressingly, “this is the most countries to deteriorate in a single year since the inception of the index.” Further, “many of the conditions that precede major conflicts are higher than they have been since the end of the Second World War.”
Iceland ranked the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. Next comes Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Singapore. Yemen is the least peaceful country in the world, followed by Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
“The conflict in Gaza has had a very strong impact on global peacefulness, with Israel and Palestine having the first and fourth largest deteriorations in peacefulness respectively. Ecuador, Gabon, and Haiti were the other countries with the largest deteriorations in peacefulness.”
The GPI comprises 23 indicators of the absence of violence or fear of violence. They fall under three major categories: Ongoing Domestic & International Conflict, Societal Safety & Security, and Militarization.
The good news is “there were substantial improvements for many Safety and Security indicators, including violent demonstrations, terrorism impact and the homicide rate.”
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