From the editor
Minnesotans have pride in their state, and a new statistical index backs up their instinctual love for the place they call home.
The inaugural U.S. Peace Index, created by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), ranks the Gopher State the fourth most peaceful in the nation. Did you know Minnesota leads the nation in the percentage of its population engaged in the workforce and having access to basic services? It has the lowest percentage of the population with diabetes and boasts the highest life expectancy, at 80 years. It also scores notably high in percentage of people with at least a high school diploma and in high school graduation rate.
North Dakota is the fifth most peaceful state, though it is now ranked lower than it would have been at any time since 1991. Data used for the U.S. Peace Index shows that North Dakota would have ranked the most peaceful state from 1991-1999.
The aim of the U.S. Peace Index is “to further the understanding of the types of environments that are associated with peace and to help quantify the economic benefits that could result from increases in peace.”
“Peace translates into dollars and cents,” says IEP founder Steve Killelea.
The most peaceful state in the nation is Maine, and the Northeast is the most peaceful region. The least peaceful state is Louisiana, and the South is the least peaceful region, according to the index. The nation as a whole has become 8% more peaceful from 1995 to 2009 due to fewer homicides and less violent crime.
Visit VisionofHumanity.org to read more about the new study.
We all want peace, if the truth be told. Every one of us. What would it take? Perhaps being more kind to each other. Perhaps being willing to compromise with each other. Perhaps realizing that the most important things in life have everything to do our connection to each other.
