Global Peace Index Show World is Slightly More Peaceful

The world has become a slightly more peaceful place, according to the newest Global Peace Index (GPI). Each year the Global Peace Index ranks the world's nations by their levels of "peacefulness." To determine rankings, the GPI tracks 23 indicators, including the level of safety and security, the degree of militarization, and the extent of domestic or international conflict.

Some of this year's key findings:

• Iceland is the most peaceful nation for the 2nd year in a row;
• For the first time, Sub-Saharan Africa is NOT the least peaceful region;
• Syria dropped more than 30 spots to 147th;
• This year the U.S. ranks 88th of 158 countries;
• Although countries are doing better at getting along with their neighbors, unrest and conflict within countries has risen.

Find out more.

Watch this video that summarize's this year's Global Peace Index in just a couple minutes:




The website for the GPI can serve as a useful tool for students exploring international issues, peace, and/or conflict. It's possible to view each country and where they rank with the various indicators, and whether that indicator rates as more or less peaceful. Countries can also be selected and compared side-by-side, and a map of the world offers a useful visual representation of how the various countries rate on different indicators.

Peace is a simple concept, but achieving peace is a long and complicated process. The Global Peace Index is a helpful resource for examining and thinking critically about peace, violence, and conflict on a national and global scale.

~ Marsha

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