WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- Despite extremely high levels of ongoing insurgent violence, Iraq is only the world's 22nd most unstable country, according to a new index from Jane's.

Jane's Country Risk Ratings assesses the stability of all 235 nations, territories and other political entities in the world on a special index. It ranks Gaza and the West Bank as the most unstable place on Earth, with Afghanistan and Haiti also in the Top 10. The other seven, including Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Somalia, are all in Africa.

"When you take into account the multiple factors that contribute to stability, Iraq rates better than some might expect," Christian Le Miere, managing editor for the service, said in a statement.

The index measures 24 factors across five fundamental categories -- political, social, economic, external and military and security, said the statement.

"Despite obvious problems, its government is relatively secure and maintains control over large areas of its territory, its economy is more or less resilient and the population remains relatively healthy," Le Miere said of Iraq.