Slovakia placed 23rd in Global Peace Index

Slovakia has dropped one place compared to last year in the Global Peace Index (GPI) to 23^rd on the list, according to data published by the Australian Institute for Economics and Peace on Wednesday. The institute compared the situation in 163 countries, basing the index on 23 factors relating to internal and external conflicts, military expenditures and the number of terrorist attacks, murders and other criminal activities. Iceland placed first for the eleventh time, with Afghanistan judged to be the least secure country. Europe remains the calmest part of the globe, and has even improved its placings after several years of decline. As many as 17 of the top 25 countries in the index are in Europe. Out of Slovakia's neighbours, the Czech Republic placed highest, namely 10^th. However, Slovakia's western neighbour has actually fallen by three places when compared to last year. Hungary placed 21^st in the list and Poland 29^th.