So far, 2022 has been a year marked by an escalation of violence and militarism in much of the world. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, an alarming rise in Chinese military spending, and violently suppressed protests in Iran, the world is a less peaceful place than it was a year ago. And it seems to be a continuation of a longer-term global trend.
According to the 2022 Global Peace Index from the Institute for Economics & Peace, global peacefulness declined by 0.3% in 2022, the 11th year in the last 14 years that the world has grown more violent.
The GPI is calculated using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators of the absence of violence or fear of violence. These measures, which include political instability, deaths stemming from conflict, and defense spending, fall into one of three distinct categories: ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization.
As the world is becoming increasingly violent, some countries stand out as less peaceful than others. Using data from the 2022 GPI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 35 least peaceful countries in the world.
The majority of countries on this list are located in Africa and Asia. Many of these places, like Israel and Palestine or India and Pakistan are adversaries who share heavily militarized borders that often erupt in violence – and three of those four countries and territories are armed with nuclear weapons. Other countries in these regions, such as Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Yemen, are in the throes of civil war. (Here is a look at the most devastating battles in recent history.)
Notably, several countries on this list have seen varying levels of U.S. military intervention in recent years, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. The U.S. itself is one of the few highly-developed democratic nations to rank among the 35 least peaceful countries in the world, largely because of high-levels of militarization. The U.S. far outspends every other nation on defense, and it trails only Israel and Russia in its GPI militarization index score. (Here is a look a the largest U.S. weapons contracts of 2022.)
According to estimates from the 2022 GPI report, the economic impact of violence in the countries on this list is steep. Total expenditure and economic effect related to containing, preventing, and dealing with the consequences of violence is in the hundreds of billions to trillions of dollars each year in many of the countries on this list.
Click here to see the least peaceful countries in the world.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story, GDP per capita figures were incorrectly attributed to 2021 for Venezuela, South Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. The story has been updated to reflect the correct year.
35. United States of America
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.44 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 9.5% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $4.1 trillion (10% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.23 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.17 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.77 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $69,288 – top 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 331,893,745 – top 10% of all countries
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34. Brazil
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.46 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 20.1% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $406.4 billion (8% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.28 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.97 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.85 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $7,519 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 213,993,441 – top 10% of all countries
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33. Burundi
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.47 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 7.9% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $1.3 billion (8% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.02 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.56 out of 5 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.44 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $237 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 12,255,429 – middle 50% of all countries
32. Eritrea
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.49 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $1.4 billion (17% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.36 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.91 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.71 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2011: $643 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: N/A
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31. Palestinian Territories
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.55 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: N/A
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $7.0 billion (15% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.95 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.99 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.61 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $3,664 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 4,922,749 – bottom 25% of all countries
30. Israel
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.58 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 6.7% more peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $61.7 billion (8% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.24 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.81 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.17 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $51,430 – top 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 9,364,000 – middle 50% of all countries
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29. India
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.58 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $1.2 trillion (6% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.37 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.46 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.98 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $2,277 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 1,393,409,033 – top 10% of all countries
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28. Chad
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.59 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 0.8% more peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $4.6 billion (10% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.90 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.19 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.55 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $696 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 16,914,985 – middle 50% of all countries
27. Mexico
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.61 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $388.1 billion (10% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.16 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.74 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.64 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $9,926 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 130,262,220 – top 10% of all countries
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26. Lebanon
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.62 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 9.2% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $10.0 billion (6% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.75 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.32 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.70 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $2,670 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 6,769,151 – middle 50% of all countries
25. Myanmar (Burma)
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.63 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 17.0% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $31.4 billion (10% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.12 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.74 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.70 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $1,187 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 54,806,014 – top 25% of all countries
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24. Niger
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.65 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 29.1% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $4.9 billion (8% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.96 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.96 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.84 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $595 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 25,130,810 – middle 50% of all countries
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23. Iran
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.69 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 4.8% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $485.1 billion (5% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.84 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.12 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.92 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2020: $2,757 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 85,028,760 – top 25% of all countries
22. Cameroon
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.71 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 34.3% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $11.1 billion (9% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.01 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.88 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.97 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $1,662 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 27,224,262 – middle 50% of all countries
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21. Nigeria
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.73 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 5.6% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $124.8 billion (9% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.11 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.06 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.81 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $2,085 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 211,400,704 – top 10% of all countries
20. Colombia
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.73 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.1% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $273.8 billion (26% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.60 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.05 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.10 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $6,131 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 51,265,841 – top 25% of all countries
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19. Turkey
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.79 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 17.3% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $295.5 billion (6% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.22 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.06 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.16 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $9,587 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 85,042,736 – top 25% of all countries
18. Burkina Faso
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.79 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 65.2% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $11.1 billion (15% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.99 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.19 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.02 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $918 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 21,497,097 – middle 50% of all countries
17. Pakistan
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.79 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 10.8% more peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $148.6 billion (8% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.65 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.58 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.17 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $1,538 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 225,199,929 – top 10% of all countries
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16. Venezuela
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.80 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 22.5% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $15.9 billion (20% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 4.01 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.00 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.10 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2014: $16,056 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 28,704,947 – middle 50% of all countries
15. Ethiopia
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.81 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 8.5% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $20.2 billion (7% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.92 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.81 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.46 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $944 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 117,876,226 – top 10% of all countries
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14. Mali
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.91 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 25.9% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $13.3 billion (16% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.59 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.87 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.86 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $918 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 20,855,724 – middle 50% of all countries
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13. Libya
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.93 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 18.8% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $26.1 billion (19% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.09 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.43 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.16 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $6,018 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 6,958,538 – middle 50% of all countries
12. North Korea
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.94 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 0.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $9.6 billion (27% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.11 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.12 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.61 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: N/A
> Population, 2021: 25,887,045 – middle 50% of all countries
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11. Ukraine
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.97 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 43.5% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $167.6 billion (20% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.23 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.04 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.77 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $4,836 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 43,814,581 – top 25% of all countries
10. Sudan
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.01 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.5% more peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $102.8 billion (21% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.30 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.31 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.04 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $764 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 44,909,351 – top 25% of all countries
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9. Central African Republic
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.02 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 8.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $2.2 billion (37% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.58 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.27 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.87 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $511 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 4,919,987 – bottom 25% of all countries
8. Somalia
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.13 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 3.2% more peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $6.2 billion (33% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.62 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.15 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.47 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $446 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 16,359,500 – middle 50% of all countries
7. Iraq
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.16 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 2.3% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $96.9 billion (13% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.65 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.30 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.21 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $5,048 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 41,179,351 – top 25% of all countries
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6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.17 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 7.9% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $16.4 billion (12% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.75 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 1.88 out of 5 – middle 50% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.41 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $584 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 92,377,986 – top 10% of all countries
5. South Sudan
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.18 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 37.5% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $1.6 billion (41% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.96 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.59 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.27 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2015: $1,120 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 11,381,377 – middle 50% of all countries
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4. Russia
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.27 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 11.8% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $938.7 billion (11% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.91 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.23 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.84 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $12,173 – middle 50% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 143,446,060 – top 10% of all countries
3. Syria
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.36 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 27.4% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $21.0 billion (80% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.74 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.29 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.83 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2018: $1,266 – bottom 25% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 18,275,704 – middle 50% of all countries
2. Yemen
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.39 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 30.1% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $13.4 billion (23% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.77 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.27 out of 5 – top 25% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.56 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2021: $691 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 30,490,639 – middle 50% of all countries
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1. Afghanistan
> 2022 Peace index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.55 out of 5
> 10-yr. change in peace index score: 12.7% less peaceful
> 2021 expenditure & cost to contain, prevent, and deal with violence: $34.2 billion (30% of GDP)
> Societal safety & security index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 4.13 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Militarization index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 2.47 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> Ongoing conflict index (1-5 scale; most-least peaceful): 3.65 out of 5 – top 10% of all countries
> GDP per capita, 2020: $517 – bottom 10% of all countries
> Population, 2021: 39,835,428 – top 25% of all countries
Methodology
To find the 35 countries considered least peaceful, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the global think tank Institute for Economics & Peace report Global Peace Index 2022. The GPI measures a country’s level of Negative Peace (fear of violence) using three domains of peacefulness, scoring each on a scale of 1-5, whereas 5 is least peaceful. Therefore, if a country has become less peaceful over time, its score has increased. The report reviewed 163 countries.
The first domain the GPI uses, ongoing domestic and international conflict, uses six indicators such as the number of deaths from internal or external organized conflict. The second domain, societal safety and security, evaluates the level of harmony or discord within a nation using eleven indicators such as level of violent crime, impact of terrorism, and political instability. The third domain relates to a country’s militarisation and reflects the link between a country’s level of military build-up and access to weapons, using such measures as military expenditure as a percentage of GDP and the number of armed officers per capita.
Full citation: Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2022: Measuring Peace in a Complex World, Sydney, June 2022. Available from: http://visionofhumanity.org/resources (accessed 21 Oct. 2022).
We also added GDP per capita and population in 2021 using World Bank data. Only 161 countries had GDP data.
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