Israel ranks 145 on Global Peace Index
Annual peace index crowns Iceland world's most peaceful nation, Somalia its most dangerous
The Global Peace Index issued its annual report Thursday, and according to its authors, its results reflect the dramatic changes sweeping through the Middle East.
Published by the Institute for Economics and Peace and Vision of Humanity, the index noted an overall drop in world peace – for the third consecutive year.
The report also highlights what it defined as "a continuing threat of terrorism."
Global Peace Index data indicated that 29 countries are now under bigger threat of terror, and 33 countries found themselves prone to violent riots over the past year.
The Global Peace Index crowned Iceland the world's most peaceful country, while the dubious honor of being named the world's most violent and chaotic country went to Somalia – which ranked at the bottom of the list – 153.
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New Zealand ranked second and Japan third. Denmark, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, Canada, Norway and Slovenia rounded up the top 10, respectively.
Israel did not fare so well and was ranked 145 – above Pakistan and Russia, but below Libya and Chad. Israel was ranked 144 in the 2010 GPI, and 119 in 2007.
Israel's neighbors are apparently safer: Jordan was ranked 74, Syria came in at the 116th place, and Lebanon ranked 137.
For the sake of comparison, a recent Gallup Happiness Index, ranked Israel seventh in the world.
The Global Peace Index said that the Horn of Africa – which is home to over 40% of the world's most violent countries – is the least safe place in the world.
Western Europe is the safest place in the world – for the fifth consecutive year.
The unrest sweeping through the Arab world has shaken its nations' standing on the index: Libya dropped 83 places to 143, Bahrain tumbled 51 slots to 123 and Egypt lost 24 points and was ranked 73rd.
The United States climbed to the 82nd place, the UK was ranked 26, France came in at the 36th place and China ranked 80.
The Global Peace Index is made up of 23 indicators, ranging from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighboring countries and the level of respect for human rights.
The data comprising it comes from various sources, including the International Institute for Strategic Studies, The World Bank, UN offices and Peace Institutes and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
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