Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a significant leap in the Global Peace Index 2024, rising to the 37th position globally and claiming third place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This upward trajectory marks a steady improvement from previous years, as Oman ranked 48th in 2023, 64th in 2022, and 73rd in 2021.
The Institute for Economics and Peace issues the Global Peace Index, which assesses 163 countries and territories on their level of peace. It examines factors such as community safety and security, domestic and international conflict, and militarization. This year’s index introduced a new measure: global military capacity.
Oman’s rankings within the sub-classifications of the index include 17th in “continuing local and international conflict,” 32nd in “societal safety and security,” and 49th in “economic cost of violence,” with a percentage of GDP spent on violence at 8.93%.
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Globally, the index revealed a decline in peace for the 12th time in the past 16 years, with peace improving in 65 countries but deteriorating in 97 others. Regional conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, underscore the devastating human cost of modern warfare, exacerbated by geopolitical rivalries and external military support.
North America recorded the most significant regional decline in peace, driven by rising violent crimes in both Canada and the United States.
In the Arab world, four countries achieved a high state of peace. Kuwait led the region, ranking 25th globally, followed by Qatar in 29th, Oman in 37th, and the UAE in 53rd.
Iceland maintained its position as the most peaceful country globally, a title it has held since 2008, followed by Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Singapore.
The report highlighted the severe impact of the Israeli military action in Gaza, which resulted in over 35,000 deaths since October 2023, contributing to the region’s significant decline in peace. Palestine ranked 145th globally, with escalating tensions and settler violence cited as major factors.
The Israeli occupation experienced the most substantial deterioration in peace, ranking 155th globally, with increasing isolation in the international community and a rising risk of regional hostilities.
