The 2015 Global Peace Index reveals a divided world, with the most peaceful countries enjoying increasing levels of peace and prosperity, while the least peaceful countries spiral into violence and conflict.
www.visionofhumanity.org
Explore the state of world peace on the interactive Global Peace Index map.
Researchers at the Institute for Economics and Peace have analysed 23 indicators to gauge the absence of violence or the fear of violence in 162 countries over the past eight years.
Globally, levels of peace remained stable over the last year, however the world is slightly less peaceful than it was in 2008.
Since last year, 81 countries have become more peaceful, while 78 have deteriorated.
Many countries in Europe, the world’s most peaceful region, have reached historically high levels of peace. This is largely due to reduction in the number of homicides, decrease in military expenditure, and the withdrawal of forces from Iraq an Afghanistan. 15 of the 20 most peaceful countries are in Europe.
The Middle East and North Africa is now the world’s least peaceful region for the first time since the Index began, due to an increase in civil unrest and terrorist activity.
This has led to a sharp rise in the number of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
Globally the intensity of internal armed conflict has increased dramatically, with the number of people killed in conflicts rising over 3.5 times from 49,000 in 2010 to 180,000 in 2014.
The economic impact of violence reached a total of US$14.3 trillion or 13.4% of global GDP last year.
To find out more, visit: www.visionofhumanity.org to explore the interactive peace map and download the report.
