In the 2023 Global Peace Index, Iceland retains its position as the world's most peaceful country, followed by Denmark and Ireland. New Zealand and Austria also feature in the top five. This annual index, prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace, evaluates global peacefulness based on factors such as militarization, safety, and internal and external conflicts, highlighting the most peaceful countries worldwide.
World's Most Peaceful Countries Revealed
Imagine a place with calm streets, friendly people, and a safe environment. This is what the most peaceful countries in the world offer. Leading this dreamy list is Iceland, known for its peacefulness and harmony. According to the latest findings, it's the most peaceful country on the globe. Here are the top 10 peaceful countries where peace and safety are a way of life.
1. Iceland
Iceland is happy to be the number one most peaceful country in the world again, for the 17th time. It's doing the best in areas like avoiding war and having less military action, and it's also really good at keeping people safe and secure, ranking third. As per Vision of Humanity, it's worth mentioning that its overall peace score went down by 4% because there were more homicides and some increase in terrorism.
2. Denmark
Denmark's high ranking among the most peaceful countries is due to several key factors. The country has a strong political system that is stable and effective, ensuring a peaceful and orderly society.
Its commitment to human rights and equal treatment for all citizens contributes significantly to its peaceful status. Income equality in Denmark is also noteworthy; the gap between the rich and the poor is smaller compared to many other countries, leading to fewer social tensions and a more cohesive society.
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3. Ireland
Ireland is in the top 3 most peaceful countries due to its low violence. The country is known for its safe streets and peaceful living. There are very few crimes, especially serious ones like violence or terror attacks. This makes Ireland one of the safest places in the world. People there live without much fear of crime, which is why it ranks so high for peace. Ireland's efforts to keep its citizens safe and maintain low crime rates have earned it a spot in the top 10.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand, second in the Global Peace Index since 2017, dropped to fourth in the latest report. The country is known for its high safety and low conflict levels, making it an excellent place to live. However, according to Global Finance, its peace score decreased by 6% because more weapons were imported and exported and updates to its military vehicles.
New Zealand, about the same size as the UK but with only 5 million people, leads in health and is above average in education, jobs, and earnings compared to other OECD countries. But housing affordability is a big problem. It's hard for low-income people to buy homes, making the wealth gap New Zealand's biggest economic issue, as stated by 20% of its residents.
5. Austria
Since the Cold War ended, Austria, a small country of about 9 million people, has moved closer to the heart of Europe. It's not in NATO but is a newer EU member. Austria has tried to keep good relations with different political groups and work closely with neighbors. However, it faces challenges. Social tensions, partly due to anti-immigrant views, are rising.
A violent incident in Vienna in 2020 led to tough anti-terror laws, like life imprisonment for convicts and more surveillance. This affected Austria's peace score, especially with growing protests against COVID lockdowns and mandatory vaccines.
6. Singapore
Singapore ranked as the sixth most peaceful country, stands out mainly due to its low levels of violence. The country has strict laws and efficient law enforcement, leading to very low crime rates.
This makes Singapore one of the safest places in the world. People can walk around freely, even at night, without much worry. This safety and security are big reasons Singapore is in the top 10 most peaceful countries list. Its focus on maintaining order and peace has earned it a high spot in global peace rankings.
7. Portugal
Portugal stays strong in the list of the top ten most peaceful countries. It's also ranked fourth for having less military action. Besides this, Portugal is known as the fifth safest country in Europe.
This ranking shows how well Portugal is doing in keeping peace and safety. Its low military presence and high safety standards make it a great example of peace in Europe. This achievement is a big deal, showing Portugal's commitment to a peaceful environment for its people.
8. Slovenia
Slovenia is in the top 8 of Europe's most peaceful countries due to its strong social and political stability commitment. Slovenia has good relationships with its neighboring countries, which helps maintain peace in the region. The government ensures that everyone has fair access to resources and opportunities, reducing conflicts.
9. Japan
Japan has improved its position in the Global Peace Index from last year, climbing one spot higher. It stands out for being very safe and secure, ranked second in that area. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan is the third most peaceful country.
Japan's location near countries like China and North Korea means it invests more in protecting itself. This is partly because of those neighboring countries' political and military activities. Japan's focus on defense helps maintain its peace and security, contributing to its high ranking in the GPI.
10. Switzerland
Now in the top 10, Switzerland is safe with little political trouble or international conflict. However, its large army, with about 150,000 personnel for its 8.7 million people, stops it from being in the top 5. Despite this, it's still known for being peaceful, like Canada, Singapore, Norway, and the Netherlands, and it's one of the top countries selling weapons per person.
Switzerland is a well-off country that values different languages and religions. But it needs to improve gender equality, as women earn much less than men, as per Global Finance.
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