Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2018 Global Peace Index (pdf), calculated by the Institute for Economics & Peace. Iceland has warmed the top spot since 2008. Iceland receives a score of 1.096, with lower scores indicating a more peaceful society.
The Global Peace Index ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure the state of peace. The indicators are grouped in three domains, the level of Societal Safety and Security, the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict and the degree of Militarization.
The level of Societal Safety and Security measures the level of harmony or discord within a nation, using ten indicators including crime rates, terrorist activity and violent demonstrations, the stability of the political scene. With a low crime rate, the absence of gun crime, few homicides and high levels of social harmony Iceland scores well on this measure, taking the top spot. With no military, no ongoing military conflicts and a peaceful foreign policy Iceland also scores high on both measures, topping the domain of the degree of Militarization.
Read more: Iceland offers second highest quality of life worldwide
The top five most peaceful countries in the world are New Zealand, in the second spot, Austria in third place, followed by Portugal and Denmark. The UK nets a score of 1.876 and finds itself in 57th place, dropping six places since last year. The Index ranks the UK as enjoying a high level of peace, while the US is in spot 121 out of 163, with a score of 2.3, its citizens enjoying a medium level of peace.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2018 Global Peace Index (pdf), calculated by the Institute for Economics & Peace. Iceland has warmed the top spot since 2008. Iceland receives a score of 1.096, with lower scores indicating a more peaceful society.
The Global Peace Index ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure the state of peace. The indicators are grouped in three domains, the level of Societal Safety and Security, the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict and the degree of Militarization.
The level of Societal Safety and Security measures the level of harmony or discord within a nation, using ten indicators including crime rates, terrorist activity and violent demonstrations, the stability of the political scene. With a low crime rate, the absence of gun crime, few homicides and high levels of social harmony Iceland scores well on this measure, taking the top spot. With no military, no ongoing military conflicts and a peaceful foreign policy Iceland also scores high on both measures, topping the domain of the degree of Militarization.
Read more: Iceland offers second highest quality of life worldwide
The top five most peaceful countries in the world are New Zealand, in the second spot, Austria in third place, followed by Portugal and Denmark. The UK nets a score of 1.876 and finds itself in 57th place, dropping six places since last year. The Index ranks the UK as enjoying a high level of peace, while the US is in spot 121 out of 163, with a score of 2.3, its citizens enjoying a medium level of peace.
