The Global Peace Index

September 25, 2007—An innovative study ranks 121 countries according to their peacefulness based on internal and external indicators.

The idea behind this one-of-a-kind Global Peace Index is to show the critical links between peace and sustainability, according to the authors.

Peace and security, both within countries themselves and between neighbors, underpin the interconnectedness and interdependency of today's world and ultimately generate wealth. When a country is at peace—when its citizens feel safe and secure—that society thrives and its economy grows.

But the world today faces unprecedented global challenges, which could either make or break the planet unless people and countries cooperate. These challenges include:

• Climate change
• Land degradation
• Loss of biodiversity
• Lack of fresh water
• Overpopulation

Conflict over ever-decreasing natural resources will only deplete the resources further.

How Peaceful Is Your Country?

To determine how peaceful a country is, the index looked at the absence of violence in each country.

The authors examined 24 indicators, ranging from a country's incidence of violent crime, ease of access to weapons, level of military expenditure to its relations with neighboring countries and level of respect for human rights. They also looked at "drivers of peace," such as levels of democracy and transparency, education and material well being, international openness, and demographics, among others.

Norway, followed by New Zealand and Denmark, tops the list. Israel, Sudan and Iraq are ranked as the three least peaceful countries in the world. How does your country fare?

What Do We Do With This Index?

The Global Peace Index can be used in many ways, the authors say.

Governments can use the index to help increase the peacefulness of their nations. They can measure their performance in how they're doing in terms of building a peaceful society. Citizens can use the Global Peace Index to help hold their governments accountable.

Businesses can make sounder and better investment decisions.

Learning about drivers of peace can be incorporated into the education syllabus. Students who have a better understanding of peace will become more discerning voters.

Non-Governmental Organizations will use this index to determine what type of aid to provide to different countries.

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