LONDON, May 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has been ranked 131 out of 140 countries in the Global Peace Index, an annual study of how peaceful countries are, both domestically and internationally.
According to the organization's website, the index comprises 24 qualitative and quantitative indicators "combining internal and external factors ranging from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights."
The index was drawn up by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an independent think-tank, together with the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit.
According to the organization's website, the index comprises 24 qualitative and quantitative indicators "combining internal and external factors ranging from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights."
The index was drawn up by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an independent think-tank, together with the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit.
In terms of peacefulness, Russia trails the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and is closely followed by Lebanon, North Korea, the Central African Republic, Chad and Afghanistan.
For the second year running, war-torn Iraq is at the bottom of the list, in 140th place.
Iceland is this year's most peaceful country, followed by Denmark and last year's leader, Norway. They are all, however, NATO member states. Only two neutral states made it into the top 10 - Ireland in sixth position and Finland in eighth.
The survey states that 16 of the 20 most peaceful states are European democracies - most of them members of the European Union.
The U.K and the U.S. and were also given poor marks, ranking 49th and 97th, respectively. Protests in Tibet cost China, which is currently 67th, four positions in the index.
The Global Peace Index is the brainchild of Steve Killelea, an Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist.
For the second year running, war-torn Iraq is at the bottom of the list, in 140th place.
Iceland is this year's most peaceful country, followed by Denmark and last year's leader, Norway. They are all, however, NATO member states. Only two neutral states made it into the top 10 - Ireland in sixth position and Finland in eighth.
The survey states that 16 of the 20 most peaceful states are European democracies - most of them members of the European Union.
The U.K and the U.S. and were also given poor marks, ranking 49th and 97th, respectively. Protests in Tibet cost China, which is currently 67th, four positions in the index.
The Global Peace Index is the brainchild of Steve Killelea, an Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist.
