Top 10 most peaceful countries in the world

Peace is a concept that everyone strives for throughout their lives. It is a sense of safety and security that lessens the hardships of life and makes day-to-day activities enjoyable and memorable. A lifetime is spent by individuals and nations to create an environment that is inclusive, booming, and above all, peaceful. There are institutions around the world that put their efforts into determining factors and variables to measure the level of peace experienced by countries.

Each year, a Global Peace Index is released by the think-tank known as the Institute of Economics and Peace. This study is of 163 independent nations and territories from across the globe, using indicators it determines which of these nations are the most dangerous as well as the most peaceful countries.

The institute applies a total of 23 indicators upon which these countries are assessed and subsequently the list is compiled. These indicators are subdivided into three categories: safety and security, domestic and international conflict, and militarization.

Here is the list of the Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries in the world:

1. ICELAND 

To no ones’ surprise, the #1 spot on the list is occupied by Iceland. The Nordic island nation has been topping the list for ten years in a row. Low crime rates and “non-existent” volatility amongst the economic classes make the country the most peaceful in the world.

2. NEW ZEALAND

Ranked as the second-most peaceful country, New Zealand has been a constant feature in the top four of this particular list for the last decade. As in Iceland, the policemen in this country do not carry personal firearms due to a low rate of violent crimes, giving no reason to policemen to walk around with a loaded weapon. That being said, the act of theft is a common one, particularly for tourists.

3. PORTUGAL

Portugal happens to be a country that has remained politically stable for many years. That coupled with low crime rates, minimal incidences of terrorism, violent demonstrations, and peaceful co-existence with neighboring countries has seen the country climb to the third spot on the list.

4. AUSTRIA 

Austria has locked a place in the top four of this list since 2014. The country scores high in areas like income, housing, and jobs. Even so, a crackdown on migrants, rallies and protests, and the Freedom Party have negatively impacted the peaceful nature of the country.

5. DENMARK 

Denmark is described as a safe country to travel and reside in, with high levels of observed political stability, freedom of the press, and great respect for human rights. Furthermore, the country enjoys higher degrees of equality of income and is a constant feature in the list of one of the happiest nations worldwide.

6. CANADA 

The list shows Canada’s continued efforts and strong record on matters regarding the environment, society, and governance investor criteria. After slipping down the order over the past few years, Canada has climbed up to the 6th spot this year.

7. SINGAPORE 

Securing the 7th spot on the list, Singapore boasts consistently low crime rates, a legal system that has been labeled transparent, a rarity in the Asian region. Additionally, Singapore has a very reliable police force that is supported and aided by the citizens.

8. THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic rises a place in this year’s list, showing improvement in areas that range from political stability to personal security and international relations. It performs really well in categories of well-being, above average in jobs and earnings, work-life balance, and education. Furthermore, it boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU at 3.4%.

9. JAPAN 

Japan is accumulated high scores for its low rates of crime, internal conflict, and political terror, just a few indices amongst the many that have secured Japan the 9th spot. However, there are troubling relations with neighboring countries that have persisted for quite some time. Furthermore, the growing firepower of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces has seen the country fall from the third spot that it occupied in 2010.

10. SWITZERLAND 

The Swiss have recorded a remarkably high level of safety and security and a relatively low level of domestic and international conflict. Nonetheless, the country has seen an increase in militarization (140,000 active military personnel for a population of 8.5 million), which has kept the nation from rising the ranks. Switzerland embraces religious and linguistic diversity and also ranks third in the UN Happiness report. In addition to that, the country ranks above average in income, health, education, environmental quality, and well-being.