Crisis fuels unrest, crime, but war risk eases

The global financial crisis has made the world less peaceful by fuelling crime and civil unrest, a worldwide study showed on Tuesday, but the risk of outright armed conflict appears to be falling.

The 2010 Global Peace Index -- which examines several dozen indicators from the crime rate to defence spending, conflicts with neighbouring states and respect for human rights -- showed an overall reduction in the level of peacefulness.

The key drivers were a five percent rise in homicide, more violent demonstrations and a perceived greater fear of crime.

"We have seen what looks like a direct impact from the crisis," Steve Killelea, the Australian entrepreneur behind the index, told Reuters. "At least some unrest is probably unavoidable but the important thing is to target measures to keep it to a minimum."