Uzbekistan has climbed by 2 places in an annual Global Peace Index this year, finishing at 102 among 163 countries, while Iceland remained at the top position, according to a report by an international think tank.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) gauges ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society, and the degree of militarisation in 163 countries and territories by taking into account 23 indicators.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) said in a statement.
It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark. Bhutan has recorded the largest improvement of any country in the top 20, rising 43 places in the last 12 years, it added.
The other countries of Central Asia: Tajikistan ranked 105th, Kyrgyzstan - 95, Turkmenistan - 115 and Kazakhstan - 64.
Afghanistan is now the least peaceful country in the world, replacing Syria, which is now the second least peaceful. South Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq comprise the remaining five least peaceful countries.
