Norway rated world's most peaceful country
Duncan Campbell
Wednesday May 30, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Scandinavian countries are the most peaceful in the world and, perhaps not surprisingly, Iraq the most dangerous and violent, according to a new international league table published today. The UK is listed only 49th of the 121 countries surveyed, with the US at 96.

The Global Peace Index uses 24 different factors to assess a country's level of violence and danger. Apart from internal and external wars, it takes into consideration street violence, prison population and levels of organised crime. National spending on the military and numbers of police per capita also form part of the equation.

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The survey found that "small, stable countries which are part of regional blocs, such as the European Union, are most likely to get a higher ranking".

The main determinants of internal peace were income, extent of schooling and the level of regional integration.

"This is a wake-up call for leaders around the globe," said Mr Killelea. "Countries need to become more peaceful to solve the major challenges that the world faces - from climate change to decreasing bio-diversity."

The numbered rankings are here. The U.S. ain't lookin' too good.

COMMENT FROM CLIFF: I don't know about you, but I always aspire to be just below Yemen and just above Iran--you know the place we should bomb according to Podhead--on any list.