A new study has revealed the most dangerous and most peaceful countries in the world for 2023.
The 17th edition of the annual Global Peace Index (GPI), created by the Institute for Economics and Peace, assesses 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world’s population.
The 2023 research indicates a 0.42% decline in the average level of global peacefulness, marking the 13th deterioration in the past 15 years. In 2022, 84 countries showed improvement, while 79 experienced a decline in peacefulness.
Afghanistan retains its position as the least peaceful country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The conflict in Ukraine significantly impacted global peacefulness, with Ukraine and Russia experiencing the largest and fifth-largest deteriorations in peacefulness, respectively. However, Europe remains the most peaceful region globally, hosting seven of the top 10 most peaceful countries.
Haiti, Mali, and Israel saw the most significant deteriorations.
Iceland continues to hold the title of the world’s most peaceful country since 2008, joined by Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria at the top of the index.
The UK is ranked as the 37th most peaceful nation, down one place from the previous year, with a “high” state of peace ranking.
The United States is classified as “low” on the peacefulness scale, maintaining its 131st position from the previous year. The report notes a slight deterioration in peacefulness, attributed to safety and security concerns, particularly in perceptions of criminality and homicide rates.
The GPI utilizes 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, measuring peace across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization.
It’s important to note that the report was compiled before the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October and the ongoing volcanic activity in Iceland. The Institute for Economics and Peace, based in Sydney, Australia, is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank.
The most dangerous countries in the world 2023
- Afghanistan
- Yemen
- Syria
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Iraq
The most peaceful countries in the world 2023
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Japan
- Switzerland
