The significance of this resonates well beyond statistics: conflicts and natural hazards threaten national security and roll back progress made in development gains for children, particularly the most marginalized and disadvantaged./p> Countries which have endured conflict and natural disasters struggle in their delivery of key social services such as education, thus reinforcing inequalities.
Drawing on a broad range of examples and statistics about conflict, trade, education and the rule of law, Mr Pinker concludes that violence yields fewer benefits now than at any other time in history (reviewed by The Economist here).
Because ofd the difficulty in gathering statistics in conflict zones, the agency said the actual numbers could be much higher.
As evidenced by these statistics, the conflict is certainly capable of taking lives, but add to that the necessity of medical treatment for civilians -- whether it is giving birth, dealing with a chronic illness, or receiving chemotherapy -- and the conflict is becoming life-threatening in other ways too.
Indeed, local statistics in conflict areas indicate that mortality reductions would certainly have been deeper in the absence of wars in Africa.
According to government statistics, the conflict killed more than 1,100 people in Lebanon, injured more than 4,000 and forced 900,000 to flee their homes in the south of the country.
Over all, it seems that the statistics are conflicting to the point of inconclusiveness.
He recited a litany of updated statistics on the conflict, noting that the number of refugees in neighboring countries now exceeded 220,000, fewer than half of Syria's hospitals are functional and food prices have tripled in some areas.
BBC Newsnight's diplomatic editor Mark Urban looks at some of the statistics surrounding the conflict.
