Singapore ranks 6th in Global Peace Index 2023

Institute for Economics & Peace’s Steve Killelea discusses improved peace rankings in Asia Pacific amidst the worst global surge in deaths due to conflict.

Whilst deaths from conflict have reached a distressing milestone, with nearly a quarter of a million people lost worldwide in the past year, Singapore has stood out as the sixth most peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2023.

Steve Killelea, founder and CEO of the Institute for Economics & Peace, said this achievement by Singapore may well speak of overall peace levels in the Asia Pacific region.

He said the Global Peace Index reflects that 13 out of the 19 countries covered in APAC showed improvements in peacefulness, making it one of the three regions in the world to experience positive changes.

Globally, 84 countries saw an increase in peacefulness, whilst 79 countries experienced deteriorations.

However, despite these positive trends, Killelea noted that 2022 was the worst year in terms of conflict-related deaths. “When we look at that — there’s a quarter of a million people who died — we find 100,000 of them were in Ethiopia and 83,000 within Ukraine,” he said.

Delving into Singapore’s performance, Killelea emphasised that the country is the second most peaceful nation in APAC, following New Zealand.

Singapore even improved its ranking by four places in the Global Peace Index this year. “There is a reduction in the incarceration rates, and also a slight reduction in the homicide rates, which are amongst the lowest in the world. But also… a reduction in the percentage of the GDP spent on the military as well,” Killelea noted.

Considering the global events and conflicts, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, the Global Peace Index 2023 assessed the impact of these to peace levels worldwide.

Killelea said the pandemic initially led to a decrease in certain forms of crime due to lockdowns. However, it also resulted in a rise in domestic violence and violent demonstrations, he said.

The Ukraine war, on the other hand, significantly impacted measurements within the index, leading to increased deaths from internal and external conflicts, political instability, strained relationships with neighbouring countries, and higher military expenditures.

Explaining the institute’s comprehensive process to compile the Global Peace Index annually over the last eight years, Killelea said it encompasses three domains: militarisation, ongoing conflicts, and internal safety and security.

“We’ve got an expert panel, which is [composed of] the independent experts. They’re experts in statistics and peace, and they set the weightings and the indicators,” he said, noting that, at present, 23 indicators are used in the study.

The report highlights the concept of “positive peace,” which focuses on building resilient and stable societies that are less prone to violence and conflicts.

In this regard, Singapore serves as a prime example of a society that embodies positive peace and has achieved both peace and economic prosperity, he said.

As Singapore continues to demonstrate its commitment to peace, its improved ranking in the Global Peace Index 2023 reflects the nation’s dedication to fostering stability and security.

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