India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan much less peaceful: Survey

WASHINGTON - India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan experienced the greatest loss of peacefulness with South Asia’s increased involvement in conflicts, rise in deaths from internal conflict and human rights abuses, according to a new survey.

Year-on-year, Latin America had the steepest fall in peacefulness because of more internal violence, homicides and increased levels of perceived criminality as the world became less peaceful for the second consecutive year, according to the fourth annual Global Peace Index (GPI) published Tuesday.

Three BRIC countries - Russia (143), India (128) and China (80) - saw substantial declines in peacefulness, while Brazil’s score remained essentially stable (83) compared to the 2009 Index.

As the global economy continues to falter, this year’s data shows an intensification of conflicts and growing instability linked to the downturn that began in 2008, with several countries seeing sharp increases in homicides, violent demonstrations and fear of crime, the survey said.

The increase in violence is depriving the global economy of assets when they are needed most. A 25 percent reduction in global violence would free up $1.8 trillion annually, enough to pay off Greece’s debt, fund the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and meet the European Union’s 20-20-20 climate and energy targets, the survey said.

The only study to quantify global peacefulness, the GPI is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

Composed of 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, it combines internal and external factors ranging from military expenditure to relations with neighbouring countries and levels of violent crime.

Top-ranked New Zealand was one of only three countries in the top 10 to improve in peacefulness in the 2010 Index. Iceland moved into the number 2 spot as the country’s economy stabilized after falling to number 4 in last year’s ranking, the improvement demonstrating the resilience of peaceful nations.

Despite slipping three ranks compared to last year’s results, partially because of new countries added to the GPI, the United States (85) improved its 2010 GPI score, registering its biggest year-on-year improvement since the first Index was released in 2007.

Western Europe continues to be the most peaceful region, with the majority of the countries ranking in the top 20.

Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan were the least peaceful countries for the second consecutive year. Syria, Georgia, the Philippines, Russia and Cyprus were this year’s biggest fallers.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)