Author Topic: First Global Peace Index Ranks 121 Countries (Read 403 times)

Rhodan · « **on:** May 30, 2007, 05:16:19 PM »

Quote

London - An international survey published Wednesday ranked Iraq as the "least peaceful nation" in the world, but also showed that Russia, the US and Israel were not far behind in bearing the dubious distinction.

The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit in London, used 24 factors of internal and external peace, including violence, organised crime and military spending in its report covering 121 nations.

It said the turmoil of the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq had contributed to making it the world's least peaceful nation.

Iraq occupies bottom place in the new league table, but the main allies in the military action that toppled Saddam Hussein are not far behind.

Britain holds 49th place, while the United States is ranked just 96th, just one place above Iran.

Russia is ranked in 118th place, mainly because of the long-running conflict in Chechnya, while Israel, due to ongoing tensions with its neighbours and high defence spending, follows in 119th place. China is listed in 60th place.

Scandinavian countries

Britain, according to the research, fared badly because of "relatively high levels of militarisation, sophisticated weapon industries and arms exports".

Scandinavian countries are the most peaceful according to the study, with Norway in top position and Denmark, Sweden and Finland all among the leading seven.

Germany held 12th position, while Japan was ranked high up in 5th place.

"Countries like Japan and Germany can give hope and optimism to countries further down the Index that there can be light at the end of what my seem at the moment like a very dark tunnel," said the report in a reference to the two countries' key involvement in 20th century conflicts. - Sapa-dpa

121 GPI rankings

Countries most at peace ranked first

Rank Country Score
1 Norway 1.357
2 New Zealand 1.363
3 Denmark 1.377
4 Ireland 1.396
5 Japan 1.413
6 Finland 1.447
7 Sweden 1.478
8 Canada 1.481
9 Portugal 1.481
10 Austria 1.483
11 Belgium 1.498
12 Germany 1.523
13 Czech Republic 1.524
14 Switzerland 1.526
15 Slovenia 1.539
16 Chile 1.568
17 Slovakia 1.571
18 Hungary 1.575
19 Bhutan 1.611
20 Netherlands 1.620
21 Spain 1.633
22 Oman 1.641
23 Hong Kong 1.657
24 Uruguay 1.661
25 Australia 1.664
26 Romania 1.682
27 Poland 1.683
28 Estonia 1.684
29 Singapore 1.692
30 Qatar 1.702
31 Costa Rica 1.702
32 South Korea 1.719
33 Italy 1.724
34 France 1.729
35 Vietnam 1.729
36 Taiwan 1.731
37 Malaysia 1.744
38 United Arab
Emirates 1.747
39 Tunisia 1.762
40 Ghana 1.765
41 Madagascar 1.766
42 Botswana 1.786
43 Lithuania 1.788
44 Greece 1.791
45 Panama 1.798
46 Kuwait 1.818
47 Latvia 1.848
48 Morocco 1.893
49 United Kingdom 1.898
50 Mozambique 1.909
51 Cyprus 1.915
52 Argentina 1.923
53 Zambia 1.930
54 Bulgaria 1.936
55 Paraguay 1.946
56 Gabon 1.952
57 Tanzania 1.966
58 Libya 1.967
59 Cuba 1.968
60 China 1.980
61 Kazakhstan 1.995
62 Bahrain 1.995
63 Jordan 1.997
64 Namibia 2.003
65 Senegal 2.017
66 Nicaragua 2.020
67 Croatia 2.030
68 Malawi 2.038
69 Bolivia 2.052
70 Peru 2.056
71 Equatorial
Guinea 2.059
72 Moldova 2.059
73 Egypt 2.068
74 Dominican
Republic 2.071
75 Bosnia and
Herzegovina 2.089
76 Cameroon 2.093
77 Syria 2.106
78 Indonesia 2.111
79 Mexico 2.125
80 Ukraine 2.150
81 Jamaica 2.164
82 Macedonia 2.170
83 Brazil 2.173
84 Serbia 2.181
85 Cambodia 2.197
86 Bangladesh 2.219
87 Ecuador 2.219
88 Papua New
Guinea 2.223
89 El Salvador 2.244
90 Saudi Arabia 2.246
91 Kenya 2.258
92 Turkey 2.272
93 Guatemala 2.285
94 Trinidad and
Tobago 2.286
95 Yemen 2.309
96 United States
of America 2.317
97 Iran 2.320
98 Honduras 2.390
99 South Africa 2.399
100 Philippines 2.428
101 Azerbaijan 2.448
102 Venezuela 2.453
103 Ethiopia 2.479
104 Uganda 2.489
105 Thailand 2.491
106 Zimbabwe 2.495
107 Algeria 2.503
108 Myanmar 2.524
109 India 2.530
110 Uzbekistan 2.542
111 Sri Lanka 2.575
112 Angola 2.587
113 Cote d'Ivoire 2.638
114 Lebanon 2.662
115 Pakistan 2.697
116 Colombia 2.770
117 Nigeria 2.898
118 Russia 2.903
119 Israel 3.033
120 Sudan 3.182
121 Iraq 3.437

Source

Nolan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2007, 05:57:14 PM »

amazing how the top ten countries all immediately conjure up visions of being good countries, and bottom 20+, including SA, conjure up visions of death and destruction.

The US will however not be able to rank highly on this list as they are the protectors of the the free world and as such need to be heavily armed. Now if only the US could actually get somebody in charge that actually knows there is a world outside their borders, a world that doesn't necessarily think like they do, and can repect that. Someone who doesn't abuse that position by trying to make others think like they do, then the planet may actually become a decent place to live.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2007, 05:57:14 PM »

Happy Expat · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2007, 10:50:48 PM »

I totally agree with every word you've said, Nolan

zatexnz · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2007, 04:01:14 AM »

Ok, Tanya, there you have it: NZ is second on the list, and Oz is only 25th. Need I say more?

jafa77 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:41:42 AM »

this is not a good indicator.

NZ is only 2nd because we are not at war with the Aussies, UK and USA in Iraq. We also have an almost insignificant army and airforce (SA is much bigger). But this is a good thing. No one wants to attack us (I hope?!) and we are miles from anywhere.

Eileen · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2007, 06:46:50 AM »

Gr8 Stuff!

Badprop · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2007, 08:03:11 AM »

Nolan is it ok to copy this. Ek wil 'n paar siele gaan uit trek en stir hiermee.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2007, 08:03:11 AM »

haydent · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2007, 08:23:40 AM »

Another reason why NZ is more appealing...

Happy Expat · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:01:32 AM »

You guys won't know just how cool it is to live here without fear until you actually get here and then it still takes ages to get it out of your system

Nolan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:02:51 AM »

Badprop, as jy na Rhodan se oorspronklike pos kyk sal jy die skakel na die artikel kry, skakel se Source.

Dan kan jy sommer die oorspronklike artikel vir hulle email

Roer hulle, copy sommer die artikel van die kos situasie in SA onder die SA chat afdeling ook

jafa77 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:06:01 AM »

3 Saffers where chatting at work today about how we dont lock car doors anymore. One lady said she doesnt know how to lock the car from the inside!! We also noted how we dont look around for hijackers at traffic lights. No more fear!

Happy Expat · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:18:48 AM »

Isn't it lovely

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:18:48 AM »

Nolan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2007, 06:16:10 PM »

Refreshing - I have stopped counting how many nights the past few weeks I have had to jump up at 2+ in the morning to see why the dogs are barking

Badprop · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2007, 06:28:51 PM »

Let the dogs sleep inside and if they bark you know it is for a reason. And they will so love you for it.

Nolan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2007, 07:11:18 PM »

Badprop, I am itching at just the thought of it - I love animals, but am as allergic as hell

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum