GLOBAL PEACE INDEX

8th July, 2023 International Relations

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Context

The 2023 Global Peace Index released its annual ranking of the most peaceful countries in the world.

Report

Global Peace Index (GPI) is a report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).

First Launch

The Index was first launched in May 2009, with subsequent reports being released annually.

Development

The GPI is developed in consultation with an international panel of peace experts from peace institutes and think tanks with data collected and collated by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Mandate

It measures the relative position of nations' and regions' peacefulness.
The GPI ranks 163 independent states and territories (collectively accounting for 99.7 per cent of the world's population) according to their levels of peacefulness.

2023 Findings

Overall, the index found that the world is a little less safe than last year, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic — which is unchanged from the 2022 survey results.
While the United States ranked 131 on the list, seven out of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world are in Europe.
The 2023 GPI indicates Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria to be the most peaceful countries.
Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and Democratic Republic of the Congo are the least peaceful.

Top 10 most peaceful countries in the world

Iceland
Denmark
Ireland
New Zealand
Austria
Singapore
Portugal
Slovenia
Japan
Switzerland
This year, India fared well in the list and ranked at 126th position – climbed nine ranks up from last year's report.
However, it is running far behind its neighbouring countries such as Bhutan (17), Maldives (23), Nepal (79), China (80), Bangladesh (88), Sri Lanka (107).
Pakistan and Myanmar are two countries trailing behind India with 146th and 139th positions, respectively.
Afghanistan continues to remain the lest peaceful country in the world.

Domains

The Institute for Economics and Peace 2023 study measured a country’s level of negative peace using three domains of peacefulness:
- Ongoing domestic and international conflict
- Societal safety and security
- Militarization

INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMICS AND PEACE (IEP)

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) is a global think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia with branches in New York City, Mexico City and Oxford. IEP studies the relationship between peace, business, and prosperity, and seeks to promote understanding of the cultural, economic, and political factors that drive peacefulness. It is a registered Australian charity and works in partnership with the Aspen Institute, Economists for Peace and Security the United Nations Global Compact, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Cranfield University. It also collaborates with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNDP and UN Peacebuilding Support Office.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Global Peace Index:

1. Global Peace Index (GPI) is a report produced by the International Peace Institute.

2. A country’s level of negative peace is measured using the domain of ongoing domestic and international conflict.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None of the above.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only