Nigeria Ranked One Of Least Peaceful Countries Worldwide, Takes 144th Position Behind Warring Israel Out Of 163
Nigeria has been rated as one of the least peaceful countries globally, occupying the 144th position out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index report as of December 2023, with a score of 2.713. The report, which is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), ranks countries based on their level of peacefulness.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is regarded as the foremost measure of global peacefulness and provides a comprehensive analysis of peace trends, economic value, and strategies for fostering peaceful societies. Covering 163 countries, the GPI utilizes 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators sourced from reputable organizations to assess peace across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization.
The report highlights a decline in global peacefulness, with a 0.42 percent deterioration observed, marking the thirteenth deterioration in the past 15 years. While 84 countries saw improvements, 79 experienced a decline in peacefulness in 2022. Notably, Iceland retained its position as the most peaceful country globally, a status it has maintained since 2008.
Conversely, Afghanistan remained the least peaceful country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The conflict in Ukraine significantly impacted global peacefulness, with both Ukraine and Russia experiencing substantial deteriorations. Other countries with significant deteriorations include Haiti, Mali, and Israel.
Despite the overall decline in global peacefulness, there were notable improvements in certain regions. Libya witnessed the largest improvement in peacefulness for the second consecutive year, followed by Burundi, Oman, Côte d’Ivoire, and Afghanistan. Europe emerged as the most peaceful region, home to seven of the ten most peaceful countries, while the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remained the least peaceful.
Over the past 15 years, the world has become less peaceful, with the average country score deteriorating by five percent. Ongoing Conflict experienced a 14 percent deterioration, while Safety and Security deteriorated by 5.4 percent. However, the Militarization domain showed improvement. Several indicators, including external and internal conflicts fought, number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and violent demonstrations, recorded significant deteriorations.
Despite challenges, there have been positive developments in some areas. Central America and the Caribbean saw reductions in homicide rates, although the region still has the highest average homicide rate globally. Moreover, there were improvements in certain Safety and Security indicators, such as terrorism impact and homicide rates.
Overall, the Global Peace Index report underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of conflict and promote peace globally. By prioritizing peacebuilding initiatives and addressing underlying grievances, countries can work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future.
