Cambodia has been ranked 13 out of 19 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and 73 out of 163 countries worldwide for peace in 2023, according to the World Peace Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), based in Sydney, Australia.

Among the 19 Asia-Pacific countries featured in the report, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan were rated the highest. North Korea ranked 19, Myanmar 18 and the Philippines 17. China was 14, Thailand 15, Laos 10th, and Vietnam 7.

On the global scale, out of 163 countries, Iceland secured first place, followed by Denmark and Ireland. Conversely, Afghanistan found itself at the bottom, ranked 163. The ranks directly above were Yemen at 162 and Syria at 161. China held 80 place, Thailand 92, the Philippines 115, India 126, the United States 131, Myanmar 145, North Korea 149, Russia 158 and Ukraine 157.

Khieu Kanharith, the Minister of Information, acknowledged the report in a social media post on July 6.

“The Institute of Economics and Peace (Australia) just released the peacefulness statuses of 163 countries in the world. In the Asia-Pacific region, Cambodia was ranked 13, and Cambodia placed 73 out of 163 countries in the world. The rank highlighted the significant progress our Cambodian people have made under the wise leadership of the Prime Minister,” he said.

However, Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, expressed scepticism, suggesting the ranking was rooted more in the political perspective of the organisers than any government-aligned indicators.

Peou noted that several countries ranked above Cambodia, despite exhibiting less stability.

He stated, “However, I note that Cambodia is in the medium status of the peace index. Therefore, although Cambodia was once downgraded, it maintained the medium level of peace. Therefore, it is not a cause for worry or a terrible sign on the international stage. Regardless of how the indicator was displayed, Cambodia has maintained lasting stability and peace”.