The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2017 published by the Institute for Economics and Peace found that the world became 0.28% more peaceful over the past year, even though over the last decade it has become considerably less peaceful.

The GPI takes into consideration peace indicators such as the homicide rate, the impact of terrorism, armed services personnel in the population, relationship with neighboring countries, violent crimes, access to weapons, and gives a comprehensive analysis on the state of global peace.

“The 2017 GPI shows that amidst continuing social and political turmoil, the world continues to spend enormous resources on creating and containing violence but very little on peace” , states Vision of Humanity.

The Index shows a slight improvement in 93 countries, while 68 deteriorated, Iceland maintains the first place as the most peaceful country in the world, position it has held since 2008; in the top 5 most peaceful countries in the world Iceland is followed in the index list by New Zealand, Portugal, Austria and Denmark.

South America was the region that registered the biggest improvement, taking the fourth spot of nine as the most pacific region, this position used to be occupied by Central America and the Caribbean. The first position as the most peaceful region was taken by Europe since it holds 8 out of the 10 most pacific countries, however, its rate didn’t improve much due to the situation in Turkey, the terrorist attacks that occurred in Belgium and France, Spain’s overall scoring in the GPI which has deteriorated and the tense relations with Russia. North America had the largest regional deterioration affected by its homicides rate, the internal organized conflict and the perception by society of the levels of criminality.

South America improved its markings in most indicators and did particularly well in social wellness and security. Chile is listed as the most peaceful country in the region and in Latin America, and is in position 22 in the world.

In the case of Costa Rica, it holds the first place in Central America, the second place in Latin America and is 34th in the world.

Uruguay, Panama and Argentina complete the top 5 in Latin America. Panama is second in Central America but is 49 in the global index.