Which Is The Least Peaceful Country in The World?

Cover picture: PA

Terrorism and internal conflicts were the main reason why the world is judged to be less peaceful today than at any time in the last decade.

According to the 2018 Global Peace Index, Syria is the least peaceful country for the fifth straight year, followed by Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq, and Somalia.

The five most peaceful places in the world are Iceland, New Zealand, Austria, Portugal and Denmark.

A reduced commitment to UN Peacekeeping was also cited as a reason for a deterioration in peace.

UK military personnel are currently involved in peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, South Sudan, Somalia.

Despite Europe being named as the most peaceful region in the world, the situation in the continent has deteriorated for the third year running. 

For the first time in modern history, refugees make up almost 1% of the global population - greater than the population of the UK.

Steve Killelea, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace, who produced the report, said:

"The long-term economic benefits that flow from peace are of particular interest in this year's report.

"Countries with the highest levels of peace averaged an additional two percentage points on their GDP growth rates over the last sixty years compared to the least peaceful countries.#

"If we review the economic benefits of peace over the past decade, countries that improved in peace had GDP growth rates almost seven times higher than countries that decreased in peace.

"These are truly remarkable figures and underscore the economic benefits of peace."

The key findings were:

• 92 countries deteriorated whilst 71 countries improved between 2016 and 2017 - the worst result in the last four years.
• Over the last decade, the GDP growth of countries that improved in peace was seven times higher than that of countries that deteriorated in peace.
• Military expenditure as a portion of GDP has been falling in more countries than increasing.
• The number of battle deaths each year has trended upward over the last decade, increasing by 264% over that time.
• Both Europe and North America became less peaceful over the last year, along with another four regions. 23 of the 36 countries in Europe deteriorated.
• The economic impact of violence was $14.8 trillion in 2017 or 12.4% of global GDP - equivalent to nearly $2,000 per person.