Global Peace Index 2011: Oman Drops 18 Spots (from 23rd) to 41st “Most Peaceful Country”

Today, May 25th, the 2011 full GPI (Global Peace Index) is out and available to the public. Some interesting points about GPI 2011:

Military expenditure is the most improved indicator in 2011
Impact of “Arab Spring” on peacefulness of countries in region is dramatic
“Bailout” countries plummet on the index
Western Europe retains position as world’s most peaceful region
Libya tumbles the largest ever fall in GPI’s history followed by Bahrain
Iraq is no longer the world’s least peaceful nation
The world is less peaceful for the 3rd year in a row
Increased threat of terrorist attacks in 39 countries
A greater likelihood of violent demonstrations in 33 countries
Iceland bounces back from economic woes to top ranking
Somalia deplaces Iraq as world’s least peaceful nation
The Czech Republic moved into the top 10 (5th place) for the first time
The 5 most peaceful nations of 2011 are: 1) Iceland, 2) New Zealand, 3) Japan, 4) Denmark and 5) The Czech Republic
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region least at peace, containing 40% of the world’s least peaceful nations
The top 5 risers on the Index are: Georgia, Chad, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
The top 5 fallers on the Index are: Libya, Bahrain, Egypt, North Korea, and Madagascar
Even though Oman dropped 18 spots, it’s “state of peace” is still “high” (second only to the level of “very high”) (out of 5 levels ranging from “very high state of peace” to “very low state of peace”)

GPI is the first index that has been created that ranks the counties of the
world by their peacefulness and identifies the drivers of peace. Now in its
5^th year, GPI is a project of the Institute for Economics and Peace
and is compiled in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit and
the guidance of an international team of academics and security experts. The 23 indicators or measures that determine a country’s ranking are:

Access to Weapons
Armed Services Personnel
Deaths from Conflicts (External)
Deaths from Conflicts (Internal)
Disrespect for Human Rights
Jailed Population
Level of Violent Crime
Military Capability
Military Expenditure
Neighboring Country Relations
Number of Conflicts Fought
Number of Displaced People
Number of Heavy Weapons
Number of Homicides
Organized Conflict
Perceived Criminality in Society
Political Instability
Potential for Terrorist Attacks
Security Officers and Police
UN Peacekeeping Funding
Violent Demonstrations
Weapons Exports
Weapons Imports

“The threat of terrorist attacks and the likelihood of violent demonstrations were the two leading factors making the world less peaceful in 2011.”

“The fall in this year’s index is stongly tied to conflict between citizens and their governments; nations need to look to new ways of creating stability other than through military force,” said Steven Killelea, founder and Executive Chairman of the IEP. “Despite a decade-long war on terrorism, the potential for terrorist attacks has increased this year offsetting small gains made in previous years.”

Killelea continued: “Our research identifies 8 social attitudes and structures required to create peaceful, resilient and socially sustainable societies. These 8 structures are: Well-functioning government, sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbors, free flow of information, high levels of education and low levels of corruption.”