Jordan ranks 3rd regionally, 57th globally on 2022 Global Peace Index

AMMAN — The Kingdom ranked third regionally and 57th globally out of 163 independent states and territories on the 2022 Global Peace Index (GPI).

The GPI is published annually by the international think tank, Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), and is the world’s leading measure of peacefulness.

The report revealed that the MENA region recorded the second biggest improvement globally.

The IEP used 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, which are grouped into three main domains: Ongoing conflict, safety and security, and militarisation. Additionally, the GPI presents a data-driven analysis of trends in peace, its economic value and how to develop peaceful communities.

Globally, Iceland remained the most peaceful country, a rank it has held since 2008, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark and Austria.

In the Arab region, Qatar ranked first and 23rd globally, followed by Kuwait which ranked 39th globally as the most peaceful country in the world. 

Contrarily, Afghanistan was ranked the least peaceful country, followed by Yemen, Syria, Russia and South Sudan, respectively. 

“Positive economic conditions reflect state justice, and a country with a strong economy is keen to maintain peaceful relations with neighbouring countries and the world,” economist Hussam Ayesh told The Jordan Times.

Ayesh said that economic conditions affect two major things: Political stability and social security, noting that the more progress there is in the economic field of a country, the more peaceful and stable it becomes. 

Governments that pursue the path of peace, also combat corruption and monitor political and economic performances, according to Ayesh.

“People’s sense of security in Jordan and the fact that they are aware that the security apparatuses are always there for them results in having societal security and peace,” Ayesh added.

Sociologist Hussein Khozahe noted that people in Jordan trust the security apparatuses and care about the country’s security situation. 

“Jordanians have always been proud that their country is considered a haven of security and peace,” Khozahe said.

He added that the crime rate has decreased in the Kingdom by 5 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, which is a positive indicator as well.

The 16th edition of the GPI found that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.3 per cent. Although slight, this is the eleventh deterioration in peacefulness in the last 14 years, with 90 countries improving, 71 deteriorating and two remaining stable in peacefulness.