Global recession making world more violent: Study

LONDON: The economic downturn has made the world more violent and unstable in the last year, according to a study yesterday that ranked New Zealand as the most peaceful country and Iraq the least. The impact of high food and fuel prices in early 2008 and the deepening recession later in the year eroded peace, according to the Global Peace Index, compiled by a unit of The Economist magazine group.

Economic weakening has increased political instability, demonstrations and crime in some countries, according to the study, which is online at www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/home.php. "Rapidly rising unemployment, pay freezes and falls in the value of house prices, savings and pensions is causing popular resentment in many countries, with political repercussions," the report says.

Iceland, the most peaceful nation last year, fell to fourth place after violent protests over its economic meltdown. "There is avery, very strong correlation between peace and wealth," Steve Killelea, founder of the Global Peace Index, told Reuters. "Peace is a leading indicator on economic prosperity.