The Institute for Economics and Peace has just published the 17th Edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI 2023 - Global Peace Index), which evaluates each year the safest and most secure countries. dangerous in the world.

Haiti recorded the second largest deterioration of peacefulness, dropping seventeen places to 129th (score 2,395*) out of 163 countries. This is the lowest ranking that Haiti has had on the index since its inception in 2008. Haiti recorded significant deteriorations on all three GPI domains, with the largest occurring on the Safety and Security domain.

The internal security situation in Haiti significantly worsened over the past year, with deteriorations on the violent crime, political instability, and Political Terror Scale indicators. Since the assassination of the previous president, Jovenel Moise, Haiti has entered a crisis of insecurity with criminal gangs controlling over half the country, forcing thousands from their homes. A recent UN report noted that gang violence and violent crime in Haiti have increased significantly.

The scale of the internal security problem in Haiti has increased to the point where it has now been classified as outright violent conflict, with the intensity of internal conflict indicator rising to a score of five, the highest possible score. The country has descended into extreme instability, with a variety of organised crime groups, which control much of the country, unleashing violence against civilians and openly battling security forces. Multiple election delays have meant that the terms of most elected officials have expired, which has affected the ability of the government to properly formulate a security strategy. There is a high level of corruption and collusion between political elements and organised crime groups, which have also infiltrated government security forces.

The United States is in 131st place (score 2,448), behind Haiti (129th score 2,395).

The study says the United States has seen a significant increase in its homicide rate, which is now above 6 per 100,000 people, more than 6 times higher than that of most Western European countries.

The Dominican Republic moves up 5 places to 83rd with a score of 2.019.

Europe is considered the most peaceful region, with 7 countries among the 10 safest countries in the world.

The Middle East has 5 of the 10 most dangerous countries in the world.

Canada ranks 11th.

Top 3 safest countries in the world:

#1 Island score 1,124

#2 Denmark score 1,310

#3 Ireland score 1,312

Top 3 most dangerous countries in the world:

#1 Afghanistan (163rd) score 2,448

#2 Yemen (162nd) score 3.350

#3 Sirye (161st) 3,294

Download the Global Peace Index (PDF in English): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/GPI-2023-Web.pdf

* The higher the score, the more dangerous the country.

HL/ HaitiLibre