What is Global Peace Index? How is it measured? Account for India's position in it?
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an attempt to measure the relative position of nations' and regions' peacefulness. It is the product of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and developed in consultation with an international panel of peace experts from peace institutes and think tanks with data collected and collated by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It ranks 163 countries.
In attempting to gauge peacefulness, the GPI investigates the extent to which countries are involved in ongoing domestic and international conflicts. It also seeks to evaluate the level of harmony or discord within a nation; ten indicators broadly assess what might be described as a safety and security in society. The assertion is that low crime rates, minimal incidences of terrorist acts and violent demonstrations, harmonious relations with neighboring countries, a stable political scene and a small proportion of the population being internally displaced or refugees can be equated with peacefulness. The GPI has been criticised for not including indicators specifically relating to violence against women and children.
India was recently ranked 141 on a Global Peace Index with violence taking a 680-billion dollar toll on its economy in 2015.
Iceland was ranked as the world’s most peaceful country, followed by Denmark and Austria.
The report said, “India’s scores for ongoing domestic and international conflict and militarisation have deteriorated slightly. The country remains vulnerable to acts of terror and security threats at its shared border with Pakistan.
According to the report, world became a less peaceful in 2016, mainly on account of increased terrorism and higher levels of political instability.
Rankings of 81 countries have improved but deterioration in another 79 outweighed these gains.
