Portugal amongst world’s most peaceful countries

Portugal amongst world’s most peaceful countries
24/5/2008

Of the ten most peaceful countries in the world, amongst which Portugal ranks seventh, only one is not European, Japan, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI).

Compiled by the Australian Institute for Economy and Peace, based on data from British magazine ‘The Economist’s’ intelligence unit, the GPI has revealed that this year Portugal climbed three places on the top-ten list, to seventh place, in comparison to 2007.

Despite not even featuring on last year’s listing, the poll shows that Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, going straight to first place. Japan, the only non-European country amongst the top ten, ranks fifth.

At the opposite end of the scale, the most violent country is Iraq, followed by Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan and Israel respectively.

On a global note, from 2007 to 2008, the report determines the world has become “slightly more peaceful”.

“It is encouraging but we need smaller, individually taken steps for each country, so the world can progress on the road to peace”, said Steve Killelea, Australian philanthropist and creator of Global Peace Index.

The GPI places Portugal as the most passive country in Southern Europe, ahead of countries like Italy, and Spain.

On a scale of one to five, Portugal has been classed as a two with regards to being a potential target for terrorism.

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