LONDON: Japan placed ninth in the 2023 global peace index rankings released on Wednesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a Sydney-based think tank, unchanged from the previous year.

Iceland was the most peaceful out of 163 countries and territories covered by the rankings, retaining the top spot since 2008. Denmark was in second place, followed by Ireland and New Zealand.

The least peaceful place in the world was Afghanistan, which is under control of the Taliban.

Ukraine and Russia were both among the 10 least peaceful nations and territories, at 157th and 158th, respectively, after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The rankings were compiled based on assessments for 23 indicators, such as public security, political stability and military spending.

JIJI Press