The twelfth edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranks 163 countries according to their level of peacefulness, shows that Costa Rica is one of the countries that have presented a fall in peacefulness, dropping from the 34th position in 2017 to position 40 this year.

The Global Peace Index is elaborated by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

“This report presents the most comprehensive data-driven analysis to-date on trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies. The GPI covers 99.7% of the world’s population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources, and measures the state of peace using three thematic domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarization”, explains the report.

Results show that 92 countries deteriorated, while 71 improved.

“The four most peaceful regions – Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and South America – all recorded deteriorations, with the largest overall deterioration occurring in South America, owing to falls in the Safety and Security domain, mainly due to increases in the incarceration rate and impact of terrorism”.

Costa Rica, although down six positions in the index, still remains the most peaceful country in the region.

“In Central America, there is a gradient of peace running from the most peaceful – Costa Rica and Panama- in the south to the least peaceful, – Mexico and Honduras – further north.

Costa Rica managed to improve the violent crime score, but deteriorated in the incarceration rate and political terror score (reflecting divisions that have emerged since the end of bipartisan politics four years ago). It also scored poorly in the social safety and security domain.

Iceland, New Zealand and Austria took the top three positions in the ranking as the most peaceful countries; while South Sudan, Afghanistan and Syria are the least peaceful.
USA ranked in position 121.