Portugal was elected the 3rd safest country in the world again in the Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2020. Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the 14th edition of the GPI ranked 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.
This report is considered the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness, and it presented comprehensive data and analysis on trends in peace, economic value, and the development of peacefulness. The 2020 GPI report also examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on peace, and the factors that will help countries recover from the shock.
2020 trends: the overall results in the world
The 2020 GPI report shows that the level of global peacefulness deteriorated, with the average country score falling by 0.34 percent. The 2020 GPI took into consideration the new wave of tension and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, and Denmark, which occupy respectively second, third, fourth, and fifth place in the ranking. Afghanistan is the least peaceful country in the world for the second year in a row, followed by Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, and Yemen. You can check the full GPI 2020 report here.
Also read: Why is Portugal considered an example in Europe in the fight against the Coronavirus?
Do you want to invest and live in Portugal?
Why is safety so important for the economy and investors?
Another interesting fact in the 2020 GPI report is the data on the economic impact of violence on the global economy. As the report explains, “violence and the fear of violence create significant economic disruptions. Violent incidents generate costs in the form of property damage, physical injury, or psychological trauma. Fear of violence also alters economic behavior, primarily by changing investment and consumption patterns. Expenditure on preventing and dealing with the consequences of violence divert public and private resources away from productive activities and towards protective measures.
Combined, they generate significant economic losses in the form of productivity shortfalls, foregone earnings, and distorted expenditure. Measuring the scale and cost of violence and violence containment, therefore, has important implications for assessing the effects violence has on economic activity”.
In other words, a violent place is more likely to have its economy disrupted. Therefore, the safest a country is, the better for investors who seek stability. Stability is especially important when it comes to long term investments and business immigration programs.
Portugal: a safe environment to invest
As we saw, safety is one of the key elements of an ideal investment destination. Portugal offers excellent investment possibilities not only because it’s consistently ranked as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, but also because it has the Golden Visa Program.
Do you want to invest and live in Portugal?
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is one of the best business immigration options available in the world these days. It is the fastest program to obtain a European residence permit through investment activity in 
Portugal.
By investing 350 000 EUR in specific real estate projects, you and your family can become a resident in Europe. Residence permit holders have the right to live, work, and reside in Portugal. After keeping the investment for five years, the investor and his/her family members can become Portuguese/European citizens.
Also read: Why is now the Golden Moment to make your real estate investment in Portugal?
Also read: Six reasons why you should invest in Portugal in 2020
How can I invest and obtain the Portugal Golden Visa?
If you are ready to make the investment of your life, fill out the form below to receive all the information you need by email. Mercan staff will be pleased to guide you in all the steps, making your Portugal Golden Visa application a smooth process.
If you are looking for a way to protect your capital, make a predictable return while holding the investment, and obtain European residency, you should definitely apply today for the Portugal Golden Visa Program with Mercan Group.
