A journey into the psychology of this strange conspiracy theory
Palestine has been marred with war and political instability for much of its history. In recent years, the security situation has worsened significantly, with the region experiencing one of the steepest declines in peacefulness over the past decade. Ongoing conflicts and territorial disputes continue to fuel instability, contributing to its high GPI score of 2.872.
Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country that sits on the west of the Mediterranean Sea. The Lebanese Civil War (1975–90) massively deteriorated the nation and caused economic crises that have rippled through the years and can still be felt in Lebanon today. The country’s various humanitarian issues have placed its GPI score at 2.693.
Mexico’s GPI score sits at 2.778. The country has been plagued with violence from organized criminal groups, which has been largely left unaddressed by the government. Several other human rights violations have turned Mexico into a hostile country.
Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa that has faced severe drought and the gradual spread of the Sahara Desert. More than 14 million people don’t have access to water, which has created violent conflict. The country’s GPI score is 2.792.
Violent crime, armed robbery, and terrorism have become frequent in Cameroon, while diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria are the primary causes of death in the country. The nation’s GPI sits at 2.773.
In South America, Colombia’s GPI score of 2.887 can be majorly attributed to the country’s continued human rights issues, which include unlawful killings, torture by government security forces, and corruption.
Venezuela is another South American country that faces critical issues. Primarily, the country has fallen victim to corruption and economic mismanagement, all of which has placed the country’s GPI score at 2.821.
44.8% of Chad’s population lives in poverty. The country has a GPI score of 2.704 that can be attributed to the nation’s critical levels of hunger, which are among the highest in the world.
Israel's GPI score stands at 3.115, reflecting the sharp decline in peacefulness following the October 7, 2023, attacks and its deadly military offensive on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The conflict has resulted in over 46,000 reported deaths, though the actual toll is likely much higher. The violence has also destabilized the broader Middle East, drawing in regional actors such as Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen, further deepening the crisis.
Nigeria has long struggled with security challenges, including terrorism, armed conflicts, and widespread corruption. Violence linked to extremist groups and regional clashes has worsened over the years, contributing to one of the largest deteriorations in peacefulness. With a GPI score of 2.907, Nigeria remains one of the most unstable countries, where corruption and insecurity continue to threaten civilian safety.
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and has been the site of many ethnic-based insurgencies since 1948. The country is currently experiencing an ongoing civil war, which has placed the nation’s GPI score at 2.943.
With a GPI score of 2.783, the South Asian country of Pakistan faces multiple sources of external and internal conflict. Extremism and economic instability have given rise to political unrest and skyrocketing food prices.
Turkey's GPI score of 2.780 reflects ongoing security concerns, including political instability, regional conflicts, and the threat of terrorism. While the country remains a major economic hub, issues such as restrictions on press freedom, human rights concerns, and tensions with neighboring nations contribute to its ranking among the most dangerous countries in the world.
North Korea has had a contentious history of human rights issues and is categorized as one of the poorest countries in the world. The country’s GPI score has been put at 3.055 and is greatly attributed to the nation’s food shortages, restricted freedom of movement, and increased militarization.
The African country of Burkina Faso is currently dealing with one of the fastest growing displacement crises in the world. A quarter of the country’s population relies on humanitarian aid, all of which have placed the nation’s GPI score at 2.969.
Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa region and is governed by lawlessness and rampant corruption. The country’s instability is exacerbated by poor governance by politicians with little to no experience, all of which has given the country a GPI score of 2.845.
The Central African Republic has been the scene of an ongoing civil war since 2012, which has created an unstable environment ruled by political unrest and mismanagement of natural resources. The country’s GPI score sits at 3.009.
Nearly half of Mali’s highly dispersed population lives in poverty, which has rapidly increased since 2012, when the country fell into the ongoing war between the nation’s northern and southern parts. Mali’s GPI score has been placed at 3.095.
Iraq has suffered through multiple conflicts and threats from terrorist groups. This has given the nation its status as the 13th-most dangerous country in the world, with a GPI score of 3.045.
Sudan has an abysmal GPI score of 3.327, driven by ongoing violence and a deepening economic crisis. Over half of the population faces acute food insecurity, with a significant portion of the country experiencing catastrophic conditions. These challenges, coupled with political instability, have exacerbated the nation’s lack of peace and security.
Somalia is the easternmost country of the African continent and is most infamous for its piracy, which has created major problems for the country’s international trade. Other issues have added to the country’s instability, including terrorism. The country’s GPI score is currently 3.091.
Ukraine, with a GPI score of 3.280, remains in a state of political and social instability due to the ongoing conflict with Russia's armed forces. This war has caused widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. In addition to the external aggression, Ukraine also struggles with corruption and low living standards, which have exacerbated the country's challenges. These factors have contributed to the nation’s deteriorating peacefulness, reflecting a broader struggle for stability in the region.
With a GPI score of 3.249, Russia continues to face significant unrest across multiple sectors. As the largest country in the world, it has been criticized for widespread human rights violations, including the treatment of political prisoners, LGBTQ+ persons, and persistent corruption. Additionally, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022, has led to severe destruction and loss of life. The war has further worsened the country's peacefulness, drawing international condemnation and resulting in economic sanctions, military conflict, and significant humanitarian crises.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen devastating incidents of gender-based violence and clashes between armed groups, all of which have made the country incredibly dangerous to live in. It is the sixth-most dangerous in the world, with a GPI score of 3.264.
The biggest issues faced in South Sudan are ethnic and political conflicts, which have given the country a GPI score of 3.324. The nation’s low level of economic development also pushes many citizens to crime, which creates a circular pattern of tension.
Over ten years of civil war in Syria is the primary cause of the country’s status as the eighth-most dangerous in the world. With a score of 3.173, Syria has seen the death of more than 600,000 civilians since 2011, while more than 12 million have been displaced from their homes.
Yemen is the most dangerous country in the world with a GPI of 3.397, marking the first time it has ranked this low. The country’s peacefulness has worsened over the past year due to escalations in violent demonstrations, political instability, and deteriorating relations with neighboring countries. Yemen’s internal political crisis has intensified, driven by worsening living conditions and rising social unrest, leaving the nation in a state of extreme turmoil.
Sources: (Visit World) (WorldData) (Institute for Economics and Peace)
See also: These are the countries most affected by terrorism
With a GPI score of 3.294, Afghanistan, has seen insurmountable political and security issues over the decades, mixed with corruption and economic instability.
Eritrea’s authoritarian regime, strict military conscription, and lack of press freedom contribute to its GPI score of 2.748. Ongoing border tensions and human rights concerns make it one of the most repressive nations in the world.
Haiti faces ongoing political instability, gang violence, and widespread poverty, contributing to its high GPI score of 2.827. Natural disasters and weak governance further exacerbate insecurity in the country.
The world is a dangerous place to live in, especially when one considers that there are 195 countries with their own governments and their own agendas. Every year, a global think tank in Australia–called the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)–releases a report known as the Global Peace Index. The report measures how peaceful each country in the world is by analyzing many factors, including a country’s rate of violent crime and the number of wars fought. After analyzing these statistics, each country is given a GPI score; and the lower the score, the better.
We’ve curated a list of the most dangerous countries mentioned in the report, and you might be surprised with the results. Intrigued? Click through the gallery to see what those countries are.
The 30 most dangerous countries in the world
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The world is a dangerous place to live in, especially when one considers that there are 195 countries with their own governments and their own agendas. Every year, a global think tank in Australia–called the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)–releases a report known as the Global Peace Index. The report measures how peaceful each country in the world is by analyzing many factors, including a country’s rate of violent crime and the number of wars fought. After analyzing these statistics, each country is given a GPI score; and the lower the score, the better.
We’ve curated a list of the most dangerous countries mentioned in the report, and you might be surprised with the results. Intrigued? Click through the gallery to see what those countries are.