21 Countries With Devastating Amounts of Violence and Conflict
Some countries have the unfortunate distinction of being amongst the most violent in the world. These countries often face ongoing conflict, high crime rates, and sometimes, violence by state authorities.
The Institute for Economics and Peace produces the Global Peace Index (GPI) each year, which determines each country’s violence. To assign an index score, the institute investigates the extent to which countries are involved in conflict and examines the amount of discord within their borders. The index ranges from 1.0 to 5.0, with 1.0 being the most peaceful and 5.0 being the most violent.
These are the most violent countries in the world, according to the GPI’s 2023 data. While the United States isn’t among them, it doesn’t rank as well as some Americans would assume.
1: Afghanistan
With a paltry Global Peace Index score of 3.55, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is a hotbed of internal conflict. Violence continues to escalate as Taliban leadership clashes with ISIS and the Republican insurgency within the country.
2: Yemen
Civil war erupted in Yemen in 2014 when the Houthis took over the capital city of Sana’a. Though efforts persist to end the violence, recent attacks in the Red Sea area threaten to make things worse. Yemen scores 3.39 on the Global Peace Index.
3: Syria
Syria is currently fighting a complex war with many players, which explains its Global Peace Index score of 3.36. What began as a civil uprising against the government has become a multi-faceted battle with no clear frontline.
4: Russia
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to deteriorating peace in the region, but that’s not the only reason Russia scores a 3.28 on the Global Peace Index. High rates of domestic violence and recent increases in the number of homicides also contribute to its score.
5: South Sudan
In 2011, South Sudan became an independent nation after years of civil war. The celebration was short-lived, though, as political infighting erupted soon after. The continued conflict scores South Sudan a 3.18 on the Global Peace Index.
6: Democratic Republic of Congo
Territorial clashes of militant groups, gender-based violence, and extrajudicial murders make the Democratic Republic of Congo an especially violent country. It scores 3.17 on the Global Peace Index.
7: Iraq
Political instability and human rights violations lead to high rates of violence in Iraq. As indicated by its Global Peace Index score of 3.16, Iraq struggles to promote peace amongst its citizens.
8: Somalia
Somalia has been experiencing a violent civil war for over two decades. It scores 3.12 on the Global Peace Index.
9: Central African Republic
The Central African Republic scores 3.02 on the Global Peace Index. In 2023, a rebel group called the Patriots for Change launched a wave of attacks on the sitting government. This came after years of internal conflict and instability in the country.
10: Sudan
Civil war erupted in Sudan in April of 2023, displacing nearly 6 million people by October of that year. The situation is not expected to improve at any point in the near future, as indicated by Sudan’s Global Peace Index score of 3.01.
11: Ukraine
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, leading to the death of over 31,000 Ukrainian troops. The war continues to rage, which explains Ukraine’s Global Peace Index score of 2.97.
12: North Korea
The North Korean government perpetrates extraordinary violence on its own citizens. It also maintains hostile relations with neighboring countries, leading to a score of 2.94 on the Global Peace Index.
13: Libya
Since the death of Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011, Libya has struggled to find stability. Continued conflict in the country explains Libya’s Global Peace Index score of 2.93.
14: Mali
Surging attacks against civilians by Islamic militant groups are the most recent example of violence in Mali. The war-torn country scores 2.91 on the Global Peace Index.
15: Ethiopia
Conflicts of increasing severity in portions of Ethiopia make the country an exceptionally violent place. Ethiopia scores 2.81 on the Global Peace Index.
16: Venezuela
The unparalleled humanitarian crisis in Venezuela created an environment ripe for high crime rates. Increasing crime alongside political conflict earns Venezuela a 2.8 score on the Global Peace Index.
17: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso scores 2.79 on the Global Peace Index. Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022 alone.
18: Pakistan
Political and gender-based violence plague Pakistan. In one of the latest examples of brutality, in February 2024, the country’s election offices were hit by twin bombs and 24 people lost their lives. Pakistan scores 2.79 on the Global Peace Index.
19: Turkey
With a 2.79 on the Global Peace Index, Turkey experiences excessive violence in several areas. Rates of gender-based violence are extraordinarily high, and NGOs reported that police violence has become standard.
20: Colombia
Armed groups fueled by the drug trade and illegal mining create a violent atmosphere in Colombia. It scores 2.73 on the Global Peace Index.
21: Nigeria
The Global Peace Index gave Nigeria a score of 2.73. Attacks by Boko Haram, an Islamist jihadist group, have displaced over 1.4 million children, according to UNICEF reports.
Least Violent Countries
Iceland is the least violent country in the world, with a peacefulness index score of 1.124. Denmark (1.31), Ireland (1.312), New Zealand (1.313), and Austria (1.316) follow closely behind as the second to fifth least violent countries.
Violence in America
Though the U.S. isn’t experiencing a civil war or exceptionally high rates of gender-based violence, its 2.44 Global Peace Index score is higher than desired. The primary reason for such a poor score? The United States is involved in numerous conflicts in other countries. Additionally, citizens have easy access to firearms, and there’s a high amount of military spending.
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