Portugal is the 3rd most peaceful country in the world
A study by the Institute for Economy and Peace, in its thirteenth edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), named Portugal as the 3rd most peaceful country in the world, in 163 countries, having risen two positions since the previous year.
Before Portugal, there are countries like Iceland and New Zealand (1st and 2nd, respectively) and the table order is based on 23 GPI indicators, for example:
- Political instability;
- Internal conflicts;
- Levels of violence;
- Militarization.
Seven years ago, Portugal was in 16th position and since then it has been steadily improving, and in 2016 was the 5th most peaceful country in the world. The third place, achieved this past year, is due to the improvement of 12 of the 23 GPI indicators, especially the recovery from the economic crisis that the country experienced.
Europe remains the most peaceful continent, as seven European countries are in the top 11 places. At the bottom of the table is Afghanistan, as the least peaceful country, preceded by Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and Iraq.
