The Australian Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP) released the "Global Peace Index 2020" report on June 10.

Iceland has proceeded to be ranked as the most peaceful country in the world since 2008, while Afghanistan has been at the bottom of the list for two consecutive years.

  
Photo Source: Insider

The ranking of Malaysia fell by 4 places and is ranked 20th, whereby it is the third in Asia after Singapore (7th place) and Japan (9th place). Taiwan remained at 37th place. China's ranking fell by 4 places and 104th.

The IEP report indicates that the global peace index fell by 0.34% in 2019 in which the social discomfort was one of the main reasons for the drop in the peace index. 

The number of riots, major strikes and anti-government demonstrations in 2019 is 3.4 times more than in 2011, whereby 96 countries and regions such as France, Hong Kong and Chile have witnessed violent demonstrations in 2019.

Moreover, the militarization situation has risen by 4.4% since 2008. The IEP also indicated that climate change has driven water and food crisis as well as rising immigration. 

  
Photo Source: Daily Sabah

In the past decade, the basic tensions surrounding conflict, environmental pressure and socio-economic conflicts still exist. The economic impact of COVID-19 may be increased by rising unemployment, growing inequality, worsening working conditions, and politics. The alienation of the system and increasing civil conflict have intensified these tensions. 

The analysis for the report showed that the pandemic has provoked economic loss to many countries and reduce overseas aid spending, which is unfavourable to Afghanistan, South Sudan and other countries. 

Source: Sinchew Daily 

Cover Photo: Insider | Daily Sabah