The war in the Donbas has deprived Ukraine of a fifth of its GDP
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) in Sydney published the Global Peace Index 2017. According to it, Ukraine's economic losses from the conflict in the Donbas in 2016 amounted to 20.4% of the nation’s GDP. In other words, the economic cost of violence in the country is $66.7 billion according to the index of purchasing power.
As follows from the rating, Iceland is recognized as the most peace-loving country. New Zealand is a close second while Portugal took third place. Austria is fourth and Denmark is in fifth place. The least peace-loving countries are Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
Ukraine took 154th place in this rating, having risen by two points. At the same time, Russia took 151st place, without changing its position since 2016.
Ukraine also took the 12th place in terms of militarization. Israel was recognized as the most militarized country while Russia is in second place and North Korea is in third place.
Ukraine topped the list of corrupt countries, according to a study by the Ernst & Young accounting firm.