Iceland ranks in second place on the Global Peace Index, a study that ranks 149 countries of the world based on how peaceful they are according to 23 indicators of peace such as military expenditure, respect for human rights and perceptions of criminality within society.
Overall, the world became slightly less peaceful for the second consecutive year, according to the Index. As the global economy continues to falter, this year’s data shows an intensification of conflicts and growing instability linked to the downturn that began in late 2008, with several countries seeing sharp increases in homicides, violent demonstrations and fear of crime.
The Index is a ranking of 149 countries – from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe – listed according to their peacefulness. Now in its fourth year, it is produced by the Institute for Economic and Peace using 23 indicators measuring both internal and external peacefulness of nations.
The key factor in Iceland’s improvement was its increased political stability. Most aspects of safety and security in Iceland receive the best possible score, as do measures of militarisation and conflict. Iceland ranks 1 out of 19 in the region.
New Zealand finished at the top of the list, and you can see where your country and others ranked here.