10th: With a low crime rate and high score for personal safety, Japan is one of the most liveable countries in the world. It pushed Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10 this year. Hiro Komae / AP
10th: With a low crime rate and high score for personal safety, Japan is one of the most liveable countries in the world. It pushed Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10 this year. Hiro Komae / AP
9th: A low crime rate and high ease-of-business environment gives Singapore a high score. It has attracted a large number of expats and businesspeople who have left Hong Kong as a result of repeated pandemic lockdowns. Roslan Rahman / AFP
9th: A low crime rate and high ease-of-business environment gives Singapore a high score. It has attracted a large number of expats and businesspeople who have left Hong Kong as a result of repeated pandemic lockdowns. Roslan Rahman / AFP
8th: At the heart of Europe, Czech Republic benefits from a strong economy, low crime rate and good transport ties. It ranks highly for its ecology and cleanliness, and its capital Prague attracted more than 2.4 million visitors in 2021. Milan Jaros / Bloomberg
8th: At the heart of Europe, Czech Republic benefits from a strong economy, low crime rate and good transport ties. It ranks highly for its ecology and cleanliness, and its capital Prague attracted more than 2.4 million visitors in 2021. Milan Jaros / Bloomberg
7th: One of Europe's greenest countries, Slovenia is regarded as one of the most liveable places on the list. Jure Makovec / AFP
7th: One of Europe's greenest countries, Slovenia is regarded as one of the most liveable places on the list. Jure Makovec / AFP
6th: Portugal has experienced a strong post-pandemic recovery and attracted high foreign investment, despite having one of the EU's heaviest debt burdens. Tourists have returned in their droves and an attractive long-term residency and citizenship scheme attracts many expats and foreign workers. AFP
6th: Portugal has experienced a strong post-pandemic recovery and attracted high foreign investment, despite having one of the EU's heaviest debt burdens. Tourists have returned in their droves and an attractive long-term residency and citizenship scheme attracts many expats and foreign workers. AFP
5th: One of the most environmentally conscious nations in the world, Austria scores high on the list for peace, low crime, and liveability. Vienna is home to major international organisations including a dozen United Nations agencies. AFP
5th: One of the most environmentally conscious nations in the world, Austria scores high on the list for peace, low crime, and liveability. Vienna is home to major international organisations including a dozen United Nations agencies. AFP
4th: Denmark scores highly for human rights, liveability and cleanliness. AFP
4th: Denmark scores highly for human rights, liveability and cleanliness. AFP
3rd: Dublin serves as the European headquarters of tech giants including Google and Facebook owner Meta. With heritage, history and a renowned sports culture, the Republic of Ireland sits close to the top of the chart. Reuters
3rd: Dublin serves as the European headquarters of tech giants including Google and Facebook owner Meta. With heritage, history and a renowned sports culture, the Republic of Ireland sits close to the top of the chart. Reuters
2nd: The skyline of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The country ranks highly for peace, safety and happiness, despite high living costs. Its multicultural cities and welcoming people attract migrants from across the globe, and its handling of the pandemic was regarded as exemplary. Bloomberg
2nd: The skyline of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The country ranks highly for peace, safety and happiness, despite high living costs. Its multicultural cities and welcoming people attract migrants from across the globe, and its handling of the pandemic was regarded as exemplary. Bloomberg
1st: Iceland tops the charts this year. Often ranked as among the happiest countries, its scores highly across every aspect of the peace index. Successful trials of a four-day working week in 2021 have been emulated around the world. AFP
1st: Iceland tops the charts this year. Often ranked as among the happiest countries, its scores highly across every aspect of the peace index. Successful trials of a four-day working week in 2021 have been emulated around the world. AFP

World

Global Peace Index 2022: the 10 safest and most dangerous countries in the world

Ukraine recorded the largest deterioration in the Global Peace Index while Iceland tops the charts

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

June 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Main story: Russia's war in Ukraine has 'turbocharged' decline in global peace

Afghanistan is the world's most dangerous country for the fifth consecutive year, but it is Ukraine which has recorded the largest deterioration in the Global Peace Index 2022.

Since Russian troops invaded the Eastern European country in February, it has fallen 17 places, to 153, in terms of its peacefulness.

Russia has also taken a hit, falling five places to 160 out of 163 countries. Both nations received a “very low” rating in the annual report.

Iceland was ranked number one, a position it has held since the inception of the index in 2008.

The five countries with the largest deteriorations were Ukraine, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Russia and Haiti, while the five countries that improved the most were Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Algeria.

Europe is the most peaceful region in the world, where seven of the ten safest countries are located.

Eight countries that appeared among the highest rankings in last year’s report remained among the top 10 again this year.

Singapore and Japan, which were ranked ninth and 10th, respectively, climbed the rating list this year, pushing Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10, into 11th and 12th place respectively.

Yemen remains the most dangerous country in the Mena region for a second year in a row, ranking one place behind Afghanistan. Syria kept its position as the third most dangerous country in the world.

Despite the overall deterioration of global peace relative to 2021, 90 countries recorded an improvement in peacefulness this year, while 71 recorded a deterioration.

Significant low scores in “political instability”, “political terror”, “neighbouring country relations” and “refugees and IDPs” (internally displaced people) occurred in 2022, with these indicators reaching their worst levels since the inception of the index in 2008.

Other indicators to deteriorate were "deaths from external conflict" and "intensity of internal conflicts".

On a more positive note, there were substantial improvements to the scores of a number of indicators, including "terrorism impact", "nuclear and heavy weapons", "military expenditure" and "perceptions of criminality".

Terrorism impact is now at its best level in six years, however, the world is now less peaceful than it was at the inception of the index in 2008. The average level of country peacefulness has deteriorated by 3.2 per cent.

Global Peace Index 2022: 10 most dangerous countries

1. Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2021 for the fourth consecutive year. AP
1. Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2021 for the fourth consecutive year. AP
2. Yemen is the least peaceful country in the Mena region, having recorded declines every year since 2008. EPA
2. Yemen is the least peaceful country in the Mena region, having recorded declines every year since 2008. EPA
3. Syria, where the political terrorism indicator has risen to its highest level since it began in 2008. AFP
3. Syria, where the political terrorism indicator has risen to its highest level since it began in 2008. AFP
4. Russia has dropped five places in the index, with the number of conflict deaths increasing owing to the war in Ukraine. AFP
4. Russia has dropped five places in the index, with the number of conflict deaths increasing owing to the war in Ukraine. AFP
5. South Sudan. Although levels of internal conflict remain high, the number of deaths improved by 15 per cent in 2022. AFP
5. South Sudan. Although levels of internal conflict remain high, the number of deaths improved by 15 per cent in 2022. AFP
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo had one of the lowest scores for safety and security. AFP
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo had one of the lowest scores for safety and security. AFP
7. Iraq was one of seven countries in which the number of deaths from external conflict has increased in seven countries. AP
7. Iraq was one of seven countries in which the number of deaths from external conflict has increased in seven countries. AP
8. Somalia, where the cost of violence was more than 30 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2021. AFP
8. Somalia, where the cost of violence was more than 30 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2021. AFP
9. Central African Republic, where more than 20 per cent of the population is displaced. AFP
9. Central African Republic, where more than 20 per cent of the population is displaced. AFP
10. Sudan is beset by deadly political unrest and hunger. AFP
10. Sudan is beset by deadly political unrest and hunger. AFP
On Women's Day
Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

On Women's Day
Our commentary on Brexit
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Comment on Coronavirus
You might also like
Our commentary on Brexit
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

On Women's Day
While you're here
TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETHE%20SPECS%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EEngine%3A%203.5-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%209-speed%20automatc%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20279hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20350Nm%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh250%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
World Mental Health Day
Plastic tipping point
Transgender report
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

Updated: June 15, 2022, 9:08 AM`
RussiaAfghanistan