Imagine you could choose the most peaceful country in the world to live in. The first prize goes to Iceland followed by New Zealand. The Global Peace Index issued a report which lists all 162 countries in the world according to how peaceful they are.
Peace, according to their definition based on 22 indicators, is the absence of war, violence, low military spending, levels of policing, organized crime, and the application of democratic government.
Here are 10 of the most peaceful countries in the world.
1. Ireland
Ireland is one of the absolute lowest-ranked countries in terms of the economic cost of violence in the country as a percent of GDP, spending a meagre 3.1%. For comparison, the number one highest spender in this category is Syria, where violence costs the country a whopping 66.9% of its GDP.
2. Switzerland
Switzerland continues to be consistently ranked in the top 10 of most peaceful countries in the world. Switzerland is notable on this year’s GPI rankings for being the only European country in the top five lowest states when it came to ongoing domestic or international conflict.
3. Canada
Of course, Canada is on the list. Under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, Canada retained its position as the 8th most peaceful country on the planet. Since the last ranking, Canada saw marginal improvements in its weapons exports and involvement in international conflict. It seems like the stereotype of the friendly Canadian may have some basis in reality.
4. Slovenia
The central European country of Slovenia climbed an impressive three spots to number seven in the 2017 GPI rankings. Of countries in Europe, Slovenia comes in a number three when it comes to low levels of militarization, a testament to the country’s focus on sustainable tourism as opposed to armed conflict. Residents of the nation can be proud to boast not only some of the most gorgeous natural beauty in the world but also some of the most peaceful practices.
5. Czech Republic
In a year when many countries made improvements in their rankings, Czech Republic retained its ranking of number six by showing improvements across a broad swath of peace indicators. Most notably, Czech Republic improved in measures of good relations with neighbours, and the acceptance of the rights of others.
6. Denmark
Though Denmark ranks in the top five of the world’s most peaceful countries, Danes will be disappointed that their ranking dropped by three points. Regardless, the Nordic land known for amazing architecture and snowy winters still showed improvement across six out of eight indicators of peacefulness.
7. Austria
Austria comes in at number four, falling a single spot from the coveted top three list. However, this slight fluctuation in their ranking should not take away from the exemplary peacefulness the country continues to exhibit.
8. Portugal
By rising two spots, Portugal cracked the top three to become one of the most peaceful countries on the planet. The same country that gave the world that most exemplary specimen of humanity in Cristiano Ronaldo is now offering their entire nation as an example of the best we can strive for. Less than five years ago, Portugal was ranked number 16, making this year’s ranking even more impressive.
9. New Zealand
Despite the hundreds of thousands of orcs and elves who died during the filming of the Lord of The Rings, New Zealand is once again ranked among the world’s most peaceful nations. Rising from number four last year to number two this year, New Zealand saw improvements in almost every category and ranked in the top ten for almost every single one. The battle for Middle Earth was a long time ago.
10. Iceland
Since 2008 the country has been the undisputed, number one ranked most peaceful nation in the world. It ranks at the very top in just about every single measure on the GPI, including being number one in social safety and security and militarization. Contrary to its name, Iceland seems to be a land of warm-hearted people.
