Global Peace at Lowest Point Since WW2, Report Warns
Global peacefulness continues to decline as 78 countries are involved in conflicts and 59 state-based wars are active, the highest since World War II.
The world is experiencing its highest level of conflict since World War II, according to the latest Global Peace Index published by the Institute for Economics & Peace.
The 2024 report highlights a worrying rise in violence, with 78 countries currently involved in conflicts, and 59 of those being active state-based wars—the highest number recorded since 1945.
فيديو ذات صلة
This browser does not support the video element.
Rise in Global Tensions and Militarisation
The report links the decline in peace to growing geopolitical tensions, more military buildup, weakening alliances, and economic uncertainty. Countries are arming themselves more than ever, with 106 nations showing a rise in militarisation over the past two years—reversing a trend of reduced military focus that had lasted nearly two decades.
According to the study, peaceful conflict resolutions are also becoming increasingly rare. Only 4% of conflicts in recent years ended in peace agreements, compared to 23% in the 1970s. Military victories have dropped from 49% to just 9% over the same period.
78 Nations Involved in Cross-Border Conflicts
The report also found that conflicts are no longer just local—they're more international than ever. A total of 78 countries are now involved in fighting beyond their borders. Major hotspots include Russia–Ukraine, Israel–Iran, China–US, Armenia–Azerbaijan, and India–Pakistan.
The recent Israeli strike on Iran’s military sites, as well as ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, have further heightened instability and global concern.
Iceland Remains the Most Peaceful; Russia Ranked Last
Among 163 countries ranked by peacefulness, Iceland holds the top spot for the 16th year in a row, followed by Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
On the other end of the list, Russia has been named the least peaceful country for the first time, followed by Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen.
Regionally, Western and Central Europe remain the most peaceful, while the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to be the least peaceful. South Asia also ranks low, mainly due to ongoing political repression and rising border tensions in the region.
South America, however, showed signs of improvement, with 7 out of 11 countries recording gains in peacefulness.
Peace Continues to Decline Globally
This year, global peacefulness dropped by 0.36%. While 74 countries saw some improvement, 87 experienced worsening conditions.
The message from the report is clear: the world is becoming more divided, more armed, and more unstable—with fewer peaceful solutions in sight.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here