The Economist Intelligence Unit Agency taking into account the main economic and political indices (from children`s death rate to GDP per head) calculates the Political Instability Index. According to the agency from 2007 till 2009 the overall instability has grown all over the world. Zimbabwe is the most unstable state in the world, its Political instability Index is 8,8 and the most stable state is Costa-Rica, its Index is 3,5.

1. Zimbabwe

the Political Instability Index: 8,8

Zimbabwe is a country located in the southeastern part of the continent of Africa. Zimbabwe suffers from very difficult economic situation. Inflation is measured by millions percent, people carry rolls of money and there is no empty place on banknotes where more zeros can be printed. Thus monetary exchange stops working and people start to use barter. However there is nothing to exchange because state economy has found itself in a deep crisis. February, 2 2009 the Central bank of Zimbabwe lopped off twelve zeroes from banknotes. Thus 1 billion of ZWD transferred to 1 ZWD with the rate of 0,25 US dollars. But it did not help. According to foreign economic agencies prices in Zimbabwe double every 24 hours. Unemployment rate is 90%. Zimbabwe is a natural-resource-rich state. It exported agricultural products 15—20 years ago. Nowadays the state lives on humanitarian aid that it gets from developed counties. Robert Mugabe`s reform caused the catastrophe. During the reform lands owned by white people were divided among natives. Zimbabwe`s government supports the discrimination of white population.

On April 13, 2009 Zimbabwe`s government abolished national currency and officially permitted to use foreign currency on the state`s territory. National currency is to come back not until in a year. Firstly, GDP should grow by 40%.

2. Chad

the Political Instability Index: 8,5

Chad is a state located in the Central Africa in the south of Sahara. There is a permanent confrontation between Arabs and Africans that leads to frequent conflicts. But ethnic groups are torn by internal strives, too. A number of antigovernment groups that make or break peace with the authorities from time to time have been acting in Chad since 1990s. The Darfur conflict caused the further decrease of the Chad`s Political Instability Index that is already too low. The state found itself involved in this war because of the great amount of refugees flowing from Darfur to Chad.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo

the Political Instability Index: 8,2

Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. The main problem of the country is internal interethnic conflicts. Its ethnic and confessional structure is very diverse. The state`s rating has decreased because of the Nord-Kivu campaign — the armed fighting between Tutsi-rebels and government forces for the capital of the eastern Nord-Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although government forces were supported by the UN troops managed to seize the town but then they retreated.

4—5. Cambodia

the Political Instability Index: 8.0

Cambodia is a state located in the Southeast Asia. Cambodia experienced the heaviest consequences of the Pol Pot regime. Pol Pot came to power in 1975 after his victory in the Civil War. Assuming power he unleashed genocide against the nation (citizens, intellectuals, Buddhist, national minorities). According to different estimations from one to three million people were annihilated (the population of the country was 13 million), that is every fourth inhabitant. As soon as Pol Pot`s regime was overthrown by the Vietnamese troops his supporters have unleashed the Civil war that hasn’t been finished yet. In the result of these wars millions of ground mines have been laid around Cambodia. The country hasn’t been cleaned up from the mines yet. According to corruption rate Cambodia keeps on occupying not lower than the third place.

4—5 Sudan

the Political Instability Index: 8.0

Sudan is a state located in the Northeast Africa. The instability caused by the ongoing conflict in the south of the country and in the west province Darfur. The main reason of the conflict is interconfessional confrontation among Muslims, Christians and heathens and also between Arabs and Africans. 4 million people from Sudan became refugees. During 25 years while the Darfur war is going on the death toll reaches 2 million people.

Other leaders of intability

Other leaders of instability that find themselves in top ten are Iraq, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Pakistan, Zambia, Afghanistan. There are 5 African states in top ten, four of them are in top five. Africa is considered to be the most problem region. Taking into account the rapid growth of population in African states that are overpopulated and reach with natural resources Africa will increase its influence in the world that is why instability in this region is too dangerous.

Russia

Russia ranks 65th in the Instability Rating, its Political Instability Index is 6,5, which is higher than Latvia has and is in the neighborhood of Uganda and Paraguay.

The most stable state

According to the rating the most stable states are Australia, Austria, and Luxemburg, New Zealand. Their Political Instability Index is 3,6. The absolute leader is a small state in Central America — Costa Rica, its Index is 3,5. Perhaps it is a state where one may have confidence in his\her future.