Iceland continues to be the most peaceful nation in the world, a position it has held since the inaugural index in 2008
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Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth consecutive year.
Following theTaliban’s capture of Kabul in August 2021 the country’s level of “peacefulness” has improved, according to the Global Peace Index(GPI)2022. Still, it remains rock bottom of the index, below Yemen.
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The GPI, created by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), is an annual measure of the relative peacefulness of 163 countries, using data to rank nations on the basis of societal safety, levels of militarisation, and international and domestic conflicts. It also takes into account factors such as freedom of speech, sexual crime rates and natural disasters.
Iceland continues to be the most peaceful nation in the world, a position it has held since the inaugural index in 2008, yet the overall picture is concerning.
“Peace across the world has declined to the lowest level in 15 years as uncertainty over post-Covid economic recovery and Russia’s war in Ukraine loom large”, said The Independent.
Political insecurity, rising food costs and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have all played a large part in the 0.3% decline in global peace levels in 2021. However, militarisation and terrorism have improved; the latter recording its best result since 2008.
Despite the overall decline “we can say that never in the history of mankind have the living conditions and prospects of so many people changed so dramatically and so fast, for the better”, argued Jonathan Power at In Depth News. “We have to take the long view. The last three years, I suggest, will come to be seen as a blip.”
Responding to the findings, Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the IEP, said “leaders must harness the power of peace” to combat a global trend of deterioration, and that the economic and political impact of the Ukraine conflictwill “reverberate for years to come”.
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Since the index began, 84 countries have deteriorated and 77 have improved their rating. Ukraine and Russia are two nations that have suffered a substantial deterioration because of the ongoing conflict, with Ukraine now ranked the 11th most dangerous country, in 153rd place (136th in 2021) – the largest drop in 2022 – and Russia ranked 160th (155th in 2021), the fourth-largest fall.
Despite the impact of the war in Ukraine, peacefulness in Europe is on the up, including in the UK, whose score improved to push it from 36th to 34th in the index. Ireland has climbed into the top three this year, rising three places to sit behind New Zealand in third place. The US, however, dropped one place down to 129th.
Here’s the GPI ranking of the ten safest and ten most dangerous countries on Earth:
The ten least peaceful countries in the world
1. Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country for the past five years. “The collapse of the government and the Taliban’s recapture of Afghanistan in August 2021 means that the country is no longer at war,” said the index. This should be reflected in next year’s rankings, but “peacefulness is expected to remain low in the coming years”.
2. Yemen
Yemen’s eight-year conflict has created one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the world. A six-month truce between the government and Houthis saw a “lull in fighting” but they recently failed to extend the agreement, said Al Jazeera.
3. Syria
“A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria 10 years ago turned into a full-scale civil war,” said the BBC. It has left half a million people dead and “devastated cities”, said the broadcaster. The country has also incurred the largest proportional economic cost of violence in the world, equivalent to 80% of GDP.
4. Russia
Russia was among the countries with the largest deterioration of peacefulness in the 2022 index. The Ukraine war has seen Moscow’s “deaths from external conflict” increase, pushing it down the peace rankings.
5. South Sudan
Despite a ceasefire in the South Sudanese civil war, there are still “regular reports of intercommunal violence” and “sporadic reports of fighting between armed groups”, said the UK Foreign Office. One third of the population are either refugees or internally displaced.
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
There is “raging conflict” in the “resource-rich eastern Congo”, with more than 100 rebel groups pillaging the area, explained the Financial Times. The M23 militia is among those fighting over the gold and coltan, “causing deaths and mass displacements”, said the paper.
7. Iraq
The security situation in Iraq has improved since the territorial defeat of Islamic State. However, “tensions are escalating” over “protracted negotiations on government formation” since the October 2021 elections, said the UK Foreign Office, which advises against all travel to the vast majority of its provinces.
8. Somalia
Somalia, which is facing its worst famine in half a century, has been hit by “prolonged drought, violence and skyrocketing food prices”, said Sky News. Al-Qaeda-linked terror group al-Shabaab is “fighting to maintain its territory”, with civilians killed by bombs, shellings and assassinations, added Human Rights Watch.
9. Central African Republic
“Since gaining independence in 1960, CAR has experienced decades of violence and instability,” said the US-based Council on Foreign Relations. There has been a reduction in conflict fatalities since 2017, but the nation still “suffered exceptionally high costs of armed conflict”, said the GPI.
10. Sudan
After Sudan’s military staged a coup in October last year, security forces have killed dozens of protesters and arrested hundreds more, “with rights groups accusing them of forcefully disappearing, raping, and torturing demonstrators”, said Al Jazeera.
The ten most peaceful countries in the world
1. Iceland
Iceland has remained in the top spot on the peace index since its inception in 2008. The Nordic nation has low rates of violent crime, political instability and deaths from conflict.
2. New Zealand
Despite “some disruption to social peace and an increase in military spending”, New Zealand’s extremely low threat of international conflict has kept it in the top two, said NZ Herald.
3. Ireland
In third place is Ireland, where the number of homicides and violent demonstrations fell since the 2021 index.
4. Denmark
Denmark has fallen one spot to fourth place, but remains a “safe country to travel and live in”, said Global Finance magazine. It is “characterised by a high degree of political stability, freedom of the press and respect for human rights”.
5. Austria
While Austria “performs well in many measures of wellbeing”, said Global Finance, “social tensions have been growing in recent years fuelled especially by anti-migrant campaigns of the popular right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ)”.
6. Portugal
Portugal has fallen from the second spot in 2020, which GPI founder Steve Killelea put down to “a higher arrest rate, slight increase in homicide rates, a slight increase in political instability and a slight increase in crime perceptions”, reported The Portugal News.
7. Slovenia
Slovenia “broke into the top ten” for the first time two years ago and has managed to stay there. This year “it even jumped up a few spots”, due to its “extremely low crime rates and terrorism risk”, said Conde Nast Traveller.
8. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic “scored big in terms of low crime rates, low military spending and low terrorism impact”, putting it in the eighth spot, said Conde Nast Traveller.
9. Singapore
The most peaceful nation in Asia, Singapore improved “significantly” in the militarisation domain, particularly in nuclear and heavy weapons between 2021 and 2022, said the GPI.
10. Japan
Japan is “three times more densely populated than Europe” but still ranks highly for both peace and quality of life, said Global Finance.
Leading British tourist destination, Spain, landed just outside the top 10 in the 11th spot for safety. The UK just made the top 15 safest destinations while the UAE also made the safest country rankings.
1. Iceland. Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is also the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. With a low homicide rate, low level of violent crime, and limited access to small arms, Iceland is truly a peaceful country for its residents and visitors.
According to the surveys, the overall crime rate in the United States is lower than in Britain and about the same as in Canada. The polls also show that, among citizens in the three countries, Britons appear to have the least confidence in their police, while Canadians have the most.
But despite the recent spike, the BBC notes that London remains safe compared to American cities. In 2017, London's murder rate per 100,000 people was 1.2. New York City's rate was nearly three times higher, at 3.4.
Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism. Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom.
Of the world's top 20 safest countries, 14 are in Europe. And 29 European countries are in the world's top 50. Almost all countries in Europe are safer for students than the United States of America. Europe is generally considered the safest region in the world.
The United States ranks at 129th with a score of 2.44, marking the country's score "low." ... The top ten most peaceful countries, according to the 2022 GPI:
Is USA a safe country to live in? Although it's true that the US has a higher crime rate than many other developed countries, its reputation for violence is often exaggerated by the local media. As a whole, the country is an extremely safe expat destination.
According to the GPI 2021 report, Iceland was ranked the safest country in the world for the 13th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, and Denmark. The GPI takes into account 23 indicators that are grouped under three domains: ongoing conflict, safety and security, and militarization.
Some of the most violent countries in recent history include Syria, Myanmar, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia. All of these countries have seen levels of violence unparalleled since World War II due to the nature of their conflicts which often involve multiple actors with different interests.
According to its most recent compilation of statistics, the report found that Nigeria was the country with the most homicides by count. * (Asterisk) in Location column indicates a dedicated article about crime in the specific country or area. Intentional homicide victims per 100,000 inhabitants. From UNODC.
The UK lags behind the US, France, and China when it comes to cleaning our homes, research has revealed. A survey of more than 12,000 people across 11 countries found just 28 per cent of UK households clean their homes five to seven times per week – below the international average of 32 per cent.
If you're a little unsure on your major or want to experiment for a year or two, then the USA is probably the better option. If you are 100% set on a subject, and just want to get going, the UK may be the place for you.
Researchers at European Geostrategy broke global powers down into four categories: Super Power, Global Power, Regional Power and Local Power. The United States took the top slot as the world's super power, while Britain took the only Global Power slot, bringing her in second behind America.
The UK is often considered a cheaper place to live. The cost of living in both countries is not the same and can vary depending on where people choose to live. It's also important to note that the average salary for someone in the US is significantly higher than what it would be in the UK due to taxes.
A survey also revealed that out of all countries in the world, America has the highest average income. It is also incredibly inexpensive in terms of food and fuel which is attractive to many Brits who wish for their salary to stretch further. Housing in America is incredibly cheap to most Brits.
People living in England enjoy better health than Americans, despite less investment in healthcare, research published in the US has revealed. Across all ages, US residents tend to fare worse in terms of diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease markers, data on over 100,000 people show.
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circ*mstances, for example to get medical treatment.
London is generally considered safe, especially in comparison to other popular European cities. Due to the number of people and the fact that it is one of the most famous cities in the world to visit, the security is very high, so you will feel comfortable going through busy areas because they are well guarded.
Yes! As far as large cities go, London is incredibly safe. During the day, the most common crime in London is pickpocketing - like most other European capitals. At night, most areas in the centre of town are well-lit and public transport runs 24 hours a day to get you home safely.
While crime rates have risen since the pandemic, Spain is still a very safe country to live in. According to the Global Peace Index of 2022, Spain is ranked as the 29th most peaceful country in the world – 100 places higher than the United States!
How safe is Italy? The Global Peace Index ranks Italy as the 32nd safest country in the world, ahead of the UK (34th) and USA (129th). Italy comes 53rd out of 193 countries in the Global Organised Crime Index (OC Index).
Maine ranks first for Emergency Preparedness, second for Road Safety, and third for Personal Safety. Maine has the lowest number of assaults per capita of any state in the US, as well as the lowest overall violent crime rate and the fourth-lowest property crime rate.
Coming in at the top of the list as the safest city in America is Columbia, Maryland. A planned community, Columbia is located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore and is a sister of The Woodlands in Texas, which was named the best place to live in America in a recent report.
New Jersey is the safest state in the U.S., according to our results. Data from the crime reporting period we studied showed that the state has the lowest number of rapes per 100,000 people (14.4) and the fourth-lowest number of aggravated assaults.
Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Don't travel at night outside major cities. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks. Don't draw attention to your money or business affairs.
The US is still the land of opportunity and still ranks as one of the most desirable countries in the world to move to. The US offers great career opportunities, an unparalleled lifestyle and one of the highest standards of living in the world – all in a beautiful environment.
Mexico is a very safe country to travel to and live in as long as you keep in mind some common-sense safety tips. With a vibrant culture, rich food, fantastic climate, and friendly people, it's an ideal destination and well worth the trip.
Is it safe to travel to Japan now? The simple answer to that question is yes. In many ways, Japan is among the safest international destinations. We've compiled the following data on many travelers' foremost concerns so you can rest easy and enjoy your Japan vacation.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in 2022, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark and Austria. For the fifth consecutive year, Afghanistan is the least peaceful country, followed by Yemen, Syria, Russia and South Sudan.
Japan. One of the world's oldest civilizations, Japan was able to keep its culture and history relatively intact over the centuries because mainland Japan has never been invaded by an outside force.
It's by far the safest continent with many European countries ranking highly on global league tables. Every developed country does still experience crime but there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk.
The U.S. News 2021 Best Countries Report gave Canada a score of 96.7 out of 100 for safety. This ranking puts Canada significantly above the United States (10.8) and the United Kingdom (55.4).
The safest place in the world is Iceland, which ranks number one on the 2022 Global Peace Index. Iceland, with a score of 1.107, has held this position on the GPI for over a decade.
As far as large cities go, London is incredibly safe. During the day, the most common crime in London is pickpocketing - like most other European capitals. At night, most areas in the centre of town are well-lit and public transport runs 24 hours a day to get you home safely.
London is generally considered safe, especially in comparison to other popular European cities. Due to the number of people and the fact that it is one of the most famous cities in the world to visit, the security is very high, so you will feel comfortable going through busy areas because they are well guarded.
According to the GPI 2021 report, Iceland was ranked the safest country in the world for the 13th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, and Denmark. The GPI takes into account 23 indicators that are grouped under three domains: ongoing conflict, safety and security, and militarization.
Why UK is better than USA/Canada/Australia? The UK is a global leader in research and education. UK has more universities than any other country. It has the top academic facilities and instructor, as well as the most up-to-date technology, equipment, and resources.
The crime rate in the United Kingdom was 75.88 per 1,000 people in 2022–2023. The overall UK crime rate saw an 8% increase from 2021. Among England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the country with the highest crime rate was England, at 83.77 crimes per 1,000 people.
IS THE UK SAFE? The United Kingdom is generally a safe place to live. In terms of crime per 1,000 people, England and Wales rank 36th out of 193 countries. This means that the UK is safer than most countries in the world.
While crime rates have risen since the pandemic, Spain is still a very safe country to live in. According to the Global Peace Index of 2022, Spain is ranked as the 29th most peaceful country in the world – 100 places higher than the United States!
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