The world is currently facing a concerning trend with up to 56 active conflicts, the highest number since World War II. These conflicts have an increasingly international component, involving 92 countries in wars outside their borders. This data comes from the latest Global Peace Index produced annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).
The deteriorating peace levels over the last decade, especially in the last five years, are a worrisome trend highlighted by Michael Collins, the executive director of IEP. It is essential to address these conflicts before they escalate further, leading to major crises. The economic cost of violence, amounting to €17.5 trillion ($18.8 trillion) in 2023, poses significant risks to global GDP and supply chains.
While Europe remains the most peaceful region, Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges with 36 out of 46 countries involved in conflicts outside their borders. Amidst this turmoil, some nations show improvements like Afghanistan and Spain, which have made progress in their peace rankings.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for peace if governments and businesses worldwide collaborate to de-escalate conflicts and invest in peaceful resolutions. It is crucial to address these issues proactively to prevent further human suffering and economic losses.