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Top-ranked New Zealand was one of only three countries in the top ten to improve in peacefulness in the 2010 Index.
Iceland moved into the No.2 spot as the country's economy stabilized after falling to No.4 in last year's ranking, the improvement demonstrating the resilience of peaceful nations, according to the Institute of Economics and Peace.
"The GPI continues its pioneering work in drawing the world's attention to the massive resources we are squandering in violence and conflict," said Jeff Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. "The lives and money wasted in wars, incarcerations, weapons systems, weapons trade, and more, could be directed to ending poverty, promoting education, and protecting the environment.
Despite slipping three ranks compared to last year's results, partially because of new countries added to the GPI, the United States (85) improved its 2010 GPI score, registering its biggest year-on-year improvement since the first Index was released in 2007.
Western Europe continues to be the most peaceful region, with the majority of the countries ranking in the top 20, the list found. "All five Scandinavian nations rank in the top ten; however, Denmark dropped five spots to No.7 because of decrease in respect for human rights and continuing involvement in Afghanistan."
Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan were the least peaceful countries for the second consecutive year. Syria, Georgia, the Philippines, Russia and Cyprus were this year's biggest fallers.
"How peaceful a country is depends on the internal structures, institutions, and attitudes that sustain and promote peace as well as on external factors," said Clyde McConaghy, board director of the IEP. "This year's top five countries, and more peaceful countries in general, have certain things in common: well functioning governments, stable business environments, respect for human rights, low levels of corruption, high rates of participation in education, and freedom of information."
The most peaceful societies share the following social structures and attitudes:
• Well functioning government
• Sound business environment
• Respectful of human rights and tolerance
• Good relations with neighbouring states
• High levels of freedom of information
• Acceptance of others
• High participation rates in primary and secondary education
• Low levels of corruption
• Equitable sharing of resources.
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