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London. Social unrest is making the world less peaceful for the third year running and economic strains could point to rising risks in China, a research organization said on Wednesday.

The Global Peace Index — which tracks 23 indicators from military spending to crime levels to conflict and disputes with neighbors — showed economic factors were at the heart of unrest including the “Arab Spring.”

Rising food prices have helped trigger revolts in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere, with some leading to serious bloodshed, while austerity measures in Europe have also helped bring protesters on the streets.

There were positive trends too. Despite conflict in Ivory Coast and Libya and cross-border tensions between North and South Korea, interstate wars are becoming less common and relations among countries are improving.

“The dramatic changes we are seeing this year are caused not by war between countries but struggles between people and their governments,” said Steve Killelea, founder and chairman of the Institute of Economics and Peace, which produced the report.

Going forward, Killelea said the key country to watch was China, which could experience violent unrest if the economy slowed in the years ahead.

But only three years after its financial meltdown destroyed its banks and prompted some of its first ever riots, Iceland returned to its position at the top of the list as world’s most peaceful country.

Well-functioning governments, relatively homogenous societies and equitable distribution of wealth, good secondary education and press freedom were among the most important factors in ensuring peace, Killelea said.

Indonesia ranked 68th out of 153 countries. Last year it was No. 67 on the list.

Reuters