Global Peace Index 2023 Reveals Alarming Rise in Conflict Deaths and Global Economic Impact

"Discover the Global Peace Index 2023 findings, revealing the alarming escalation of conflict deaths and the profound economic impact. Gain insights into the challenges facing global peace, as conflicts cast a shadow on peacefulness worldwide. Explore the report's analysis and recommendations for addressing this critical issue."

GPI Summary

The key findings and insights from the 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) in a comprehensive data-driven analytical report. The GPI, developed by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), offers vital information to NGOs, government agencies, and intelligence sharing partners for informed policy-making regarding global conflict and peacebuilding.

The report highlights a concerning escalation of conflict deaths worldwide, leading to a decline in global peacefulness. With an increase of 96%, global conflict deaths reached a staggering 238,000, surpassing previous peaks witnessed during the Syrian war. Conflict levels escalated in 79 countries, including Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel, and South Africa.

Moreover, the economic impact of violence surged by 17%, amounting to a record $17.5 trillion in 2022, equivalent to 13% of global GDP. Notably, a potential Chinese blockade of Taiwan could result in a global economic output drop of $2.7 trillion, surpassing the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.

Insights from the War in Ukraine reveal a significant deterioration in peacefulness, plunging Ukraine to the 157th position on the Index. However, Russia witnessed improvements in various internal factors, including incarceration rate, violent demonstrations, terrorism impact, and homicide rates.

The report unveils a shifting global conflict landscape, with conflicts becoming increasingly internationalized. As of 2023, 91 countries are involved in some form of external conflict, a stark increase from 58 in 2008.

Key Findings

Conflict deaths surged by 96% to 238,000, reaching the highest level this century.
Ethiopia witnessed a higher number of conflict deaths than Ukraine, eclipsing previous global peaks observed during the Syrian war.
Conflict levels increased in 79 countries, including Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel, and South Africa.
The economic impact of violence rose by 17% to $17.5 trillion, equivalent to 13% of global GDP.
A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would cause a global economic output drop of $2.7 trillion, almost double the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, 92 countries reduced military personnel while 110 countries improved military expenditure.
Conflicts are becoming more internationalized, with 91 countries engaged in external conflicts, up from 58 in 2008.

Insights and Commentary

The report underscores the alarming trend of declining global peacefulness, with 84 countries experiencing deterioration compared to 79 countries recording improvements. Civil unrest, political instability, and regional conflicts have surged post-COVID, exacerbating the overall deterioration in peacefulness.

The 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI) report underscores the remarkable peacefulness of Iceland, as the country maintains its position as the most peaceful nation for another year. This achievement reflects Iceland’s stable political climate, low crime rates, strong social cohesion, and effective governance.

Following closely behind Iceland are Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria, all recognized as top peaceful nations. These countries have consistently demonstrated a commitment to peace, fostering harmonious societies, and investing in social welfare, education, and inclusive governance.

The high rankings of these countries can be attributed to various factors, including political stability, respect for human rights, low levels of violence, and effective conflict resolution mechanisms. Their focus on social well-being, equality, and sustainable development contributes to the overall peacefulness of these nations.

The achievements of these top peaceful countries serve as examples and inspirations for others, highlighting the potential benefits of investing in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and fostering inclusive societies. By learning from their experiences and adopting similar approaches, other nations can strive to improve their own peacefulness and create a more secure and prosperous future for their citizens.

On the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan maintains its unfortunate status as the least peaceful country for the sixth consecutive year. Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also rank low in terms of peacefulness.

However, it is worth noting that both Afghanistan and Syria showed some improvements in peacefulness, indicating positive developments amidst ongoing challenges. These improvements may signify efforts toward resolving conflicts, promoting stability, and rebuilding societies in these war-torn regions.

The GPI report reveals that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ranks low in terms of peacefulness. The country faces significant challenges related to conflicts, violence, and instability, contributing to its position in the index.

The DRC has a complex history of armed conflicts, including internal strife, regional conflicts, and the presence of armed groups. These conflicts have had devastating humanitarian consequences, leading to widespread displacement, loss of lives, and human rights abuses.

Factors contributing to the low peacefulness ranking in the DRC include political instability, weak governance, socio-economic inequalities, resource competition, and ethnic tensions. These elements create a volatile environment that hampers peacebuilding efforts and hinders the country’s progress towards stability and development.

Addressing the challenges in the DRC requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on conflict resolution, sustainable development, good governance, and the promotion of social cohesion. It is essential to support initiatives aimed at peacebuilding, strengthening institutions, fostering reconciliation, and addressing the root causes of conflicts to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The rankings emphasize the significant disparities in peacefulness across different nations and highlight the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of conflicts and promote peacebuilding initiatives in regions experiencing prolonged instability.

The War in Ukraine had a profound impact on peacefulness, causing a significant decline and positioning Ukraine at 157th on the Index. Conversely, Libya experienced the most substantial improvement in overall peacefulness, rising by 7% and climbing 14 places to 137th.

Regional dynamics reveal a redistribution of conflicts, with decreases in the MENA region and South Asia, and intensification in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. The Russia and Eurasia region witnessed the most substantial deterioration in peacefulness globally.

The economic impact of violence reached a record $17.5 trillion, equivalent to 13% of global GDP, reflecting increased military expenditure due to the Ukraine war. The report emphasizes the disparity in economic impact, with the ten most affected countries averaging 34% of GDP, compared to a mere 3% for the least affected.

The GPI 2023 report highlights the intensification of conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, representing a significant concern for regional stability. The region has experienced a substantial increase in conflict-related violence, resulting in a deterioration of peacefulness.

The report identifies Mali as one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that recorded the largest deterioration in peacefulness. Conflict-related deaths in Mali increased by 154%, while violence against civilians rose by an alarming 570%. This escalation in violence poses serious threats to the safety and well-being of the population, as well as hindering social and economic development in the region.

Additionally, the report mentions the shift of terrorism from the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel. This indicates the changing dynamics of conflicts and the challenges faced by countries in the region in combating extremist groups and maintaining stability.

Despite these concerning trends, there is some positive news within sub-Saharan Africa. The coastal West Africa region, encompassing countries from Morocco to Ghana, has experienced improvements in peacefulness. Countries in this region have recorded an average improvement of 5% over the past 14 years, with no deaths from terrorism reported in 2022, in contrast to neighboring countries in the Sahel.

Addressing the intensification of conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa requires concerted efforts from governments, regional organizations, and international partners. This includes implementing effective conflict resolution strategies, promoting good governance, addressing socio-economic inequalities, and investing in peacebuilding initiatives. By fostering stability and peace in the region, it is possible to create an environment conducive to sustainable development and prosperity for the people of sub-Saharan Africa.

Download the full report from Vision for Humanity.