BD slips nine notches in Global Peace Index

Bangladesh slipped down nine spots in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2018 compared with that of the last year, reports UNB.

Bangladesh was ranked 93rd out of 163 countries with a global score of 2.084, according to the latest report of Global Peace Index (GPI) published in London on Wednesday.

The country's position was 84th with the score of 2.035 in the past year.

In the South Asia region, Bangladesh stood fourth behind Bhutan (1.545), Sri Lanka (1.954) and Nepal (2.053), relegating from last year's 3rd position.

However, Bangladesh's position is better than India (2.504), Pakistan (3.079) and Afghanistan (3.585).

The 12th annual 'Global Peace Index' scored 163 independent states and territories according to their levels of peacefulness.

The index was prepared by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney-based independent non-profit think tank.

Bangladesh had the largest deterioration in South Asia, said the report.

"Improvements in political stability and terrorism impact failed to offset a rapid fall in external conflicts fought. Neighbouring countries' relations were adversely affected by the influx of 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar," it added.

Myanmar fell 15 places in the rankings and is now ranked 122nd on the GPI.

The report also said the world has become less peaceful in the past year. Longstanding global conflicts remain unresolved and the US and other world powers face political instability.