Jordan ranked 4th regionally on 2023 Global Peace Index

AMMAN — Jordan was ranked the fourth most peaceful Arab country on the 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI).

Produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), the GPI presents data-driven analysis on trends in peace, providing metrics for measuring peace and fostering a better understanding of the cultural, economic and political factors leading to peace.

The 17th edition of the GPI, which featured 163 independent states and territories ranked according to their level of peacefulness, revealed that “the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.42 per cent,” from 2022-2023, representing the 13th deterioration of peace in the past 15 years.

The index utilised 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators based on three domains: The level of societal safety and security; the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict; and the degree of militarisation.

Iceland has maintained its position as the most peaceful country in the world, followed by Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and Austria. Afghanistan has remained the least peaceful country in the world for the eighth consecutive year.

“The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remained the world’s least peaceful region. It is home to four of the ten least peaceful countries. However it was also the region with the largest improvement in peace,” the index said.

The Kingdom ranked 62nd among the 163 ranked states and territories, and fourth among the MENA countries. Qatar was the most peaceful Arab country, followed by Kuwait and Oman in second and third places, respectively.

Speaking with The Jordan Times on Sunday, economist Waseem Hussein indicated that the Kingdom has always been a stable and peaceful country in a turbulent region. 

Hussein also noted the economic value of peace, explaining that “having peace leads to better economic performance, prosperity and public welfare”.

Sociologist Hussein Al Khozahe told The Jordan Times that social safety and security is achieved when people are confident that stability, security and freedom are guaranteed.