The US has its fair share of issues, but being one of the most dangerous countries in the world isn’t among them. These are the most unsafe countries around the globe that’ll make you grateful to be an American.
Understanding the Data
The 2022 Global Peace Index (GPI) used 23 indicators to rank peace levels in 163 countries. Some of the indicators include assessing societal safety and security, ongoing internal and external conflicts, and the degree of militarization. The GPI combines its indicator rankings into one index score and calculates them on a scale of 1-5; higher scores represent higher degrees of violence.
1: Afghanistan
Afghanistan is the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth consecutive year, with a peace index score of 3.554 out of five due to high incidents of criminality.
2: Yemen
Due to internal conflict and COVID-19’s impact on its economy, violence increased in Yemen, resulting in a peace index score of 3.394 out of five.
3: Syria
Explosive-related violence against civilians impacted Syria’s GPI. In 2022, its peace index score was slightly higher than Yemen, scoring 3.356 out of five.
4: Russia
Russia’s conflict with Ukraine led to an increase in deaths, deterioration in political instability, and political terror. The country’s peace index score came in at 3.275 out of five.
5: South Sudan
Despite improvement in peacefulness, the level of internal conflict in South Sudan remains high. The country ranks 159 on the GPI, with a peace index score of 3.184 out of five.
6: Democratic Republic of the Congo
The number of deaths from external conflicts rose in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country’s peace index score of 3.166 resulted in a ranking of 158.
7: Iraq
Iraq saw a slight improvement in peacefulness from last year’s GPI, moving two countries up and ranking at 157 out of 163 countries. The country’s global peace index score was 3.157 out of five.
8: Somalia
Factors like conflict, deaths, and terrorism positioned Somalia at 156 on the GPI, with its peace index score standing at 3.125 out of five.
9: Central African Republic
While GPI indicated a decrease in conflict deaths, the overall number of conflicts in regions like the Central African Republic increased, leading the country to a peace index score of 3.021 out of 5.
10: Sudan
With over 35 percent of its population displaced, Sudan’s ongoing struggles and uprising have resulted in a peace index score of 3.007 out of five.
11: Ukraine
Ukraine saw one of the largest deteriorations in peacefulness due to its ongoing conflicts with Russia, generating a peace index score of 2.971 out of five.
12: North Korea
North Korea was among one of 10 countries to experience large levels of violent demonstrations from 2021 to 2022, making their overall peace index score 2.942 out of five.
13: Libya
Libya has made progress toward peace within the last five years. However, the country still faces ongoing conflict, producing a peace index score of 2.93.
14: Mali
Mali’s position on the GPI ranked at 150 due to ongoing domestic conflict. The country’s peace index score stands at 2.911.
15: Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s peacefulness rank dropped to 149, a nine-spot decrease. The economic impact of Armed Conflicts increased by 90% from 2021, adding to Ethiopia’s peace index of 2.806.
16: Venezuela
Ranking at 148, Venezuela continues to record high scores in homicide, violent crime, and political terror. Its peace index score is 2.793 out of five.
17: Pakistan
With a peace index score slightly lower than Venezuela at 2.789, Pakistan comes in at number 147 on the GPI. Pakistan authorities advise foreigners not to move out of their residences without prior coordination with law enforcement.
18: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso experienced a large deterioration of peacefulness due to political and economic instability. The country encountered a 12 rank drop in peacefulness, resulting in a peace index score of 2.786 out of five.
19: Turkey
Though Turkey’s peacefulness improved by 2.3 percent, it continues to be the least peaceful country in its region for the 15th year. Its peace index score is 2.785.
20: Colombia
Violent demonstrations resulted in some of the biggest deteriorations for countries like Colombia, whose peace index score increased to 2.729.
21: Nigeria
From 2017 to 2020, protesters sought to disband Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad, resulting in an increase in deaths. Nigeria’s peace index is 2.725 out of five.
22: Cameroon
Cameroon has a lower peace index of 2.709 and is ranked 142 among the world’s most peaceful countries.
23: Iran
Though Iran moved up in peacefulness, it had one of the largest increases in military expenditure, resulting in a peace index of 2.687.
24: Niger
Niger ranks at 140 in GPI, a one-position increase from 2021. The country’s peace index score is 2.65 out of five.
25: Myanmar
Ranking at 139, Myanmar’s peacefulness fell due to the rise in political terror and its government’s response to COVID-19. Its peace index score is 2.631.
26: Lebanon
Though the number of deaths from conflicts in Lebanon has declined, the number of conflicts is ongoing. Lebanon’s rank rose to 138, and its index score was 2.615 out of five.
27: Mexico
Mexico is amongst the countries with the highest rates of homicide. Eight of the most violent cities are located in the country. Its peace index score is 2.612, and the country ranked 137.
28: Chad
With higher scores in its Domestic Conflict Domain, Chad ranked at 136th for the most peaceful country in the world. It has a peace index score of 2.591.
29: India
India saw an increase in violent crime due to a weaker economy, political instability, and violence between Hindu and Muslim citizens, resulting in a peace index score of 2.578 out of five.
30: Israel
Due to tension in the region, Israel ranks 134 on the GPI, with its peace index score at 2.576.
Looking Ahead
According to the Global Peace Index, major conflicts, like Russia’s attack on Ukraine, have partially been captured in the GPI’s 2022 data. This could suggest that many countries may see a decline in the next set of global peacefulness data researchers release.
A Troubling Trend
Even though many countries aren’t downright dangerous, 71 countries fell in their world peacefulness rankings in 2022.
Closer to Home
The United States ranked as the 129th most dangerous country in the world out of 163 countries. That wedged it between Azerbaijan and Brazil in the GPI’s data. Many Americans would agree that’s not a great look. Do you live in one of the most dangerous cities in the US?
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