The 2025 Global Peace Index is out and has named the safest and most peaceful countries in the world for the 19th time, as well as flagging countries that have become more dangerous.
Iceland
The Nordic island nation may be renowned for the unpredictability of its dramatic landscape of geysers, hot springs, lava, and volcanoes, but it demonstrates its stability by consistently holding the top spot in the Institute for Economics and Peace ranking, since records began in 2008.
Iceland’s low crime rate and high levels of public trust are part of a society that with world-beating safety and security, low levels of domestic and international conflict and muted militarisation. While military expenditure has increased this year, the parliamentary republic managed to increase its overall peacefulness score by two per cent.
Ireland
Out of 163 nations in the ranking, Ireland came next, maintaining its 2024 position thanks to its avoidance of international conflict through neutrality, and its public safety, as well as gaining praise for its reduced militarisation.
New Zealand
Another island nation, but this time in the Pacific instead of the North Atlantic, New Zealand placed third in 2025, up two spots year-on-year, due to a drop in civil unrest, such as demonstrations, and a reduction in terrorism-related impacts.
Austria
Confirming Europe’s domination of the index, Austria takes fourth place, having been pushed out of third by New Zealand. Like Ireland, Austria has adopted a constitutional policy of military neutrality, as well as retaining non-NATO status, which helps it invest instead in social fabric, education, and healthcare.
Switzerland
Also knocked down a spot, Switzerland is in fifth place in 2025. Of the top five in this year’s index, it is the only one not to have featured in the top ten every year since 2008.
The rest
Singapore, designated as a “blue zone” nation for the community, culture, diet, and lifestyle factors that are said to contribute to its population’s longevity, is the only non-European nation in the top ten apart from New Zealand, taking sixth place. The rest of the best comprises Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, up 17 places in 95th place, saw the largest improvement in its peace score, and Bangladesh, down 33 places, suffered the biggest deterioration.
10 most peaceful countries in the world:
— Global Peace Index (@GlobPeaceIndex) July 25, 2025
Iceland
Ireland
New Zealand
Austria
Switzerland
Singapore
Portugal
Denmark
Slovenia
Finland
🗺️Explore how each country performs across 23 indicators of Global Peace Index in our interactive map: https://t.co/ieTEZsSJdc pic.twitter.com/Go73Lm3c2g
Overall decline
Despite the apparent constancy of top 10 results in the peace index, its authors note that there has been “a record decline in global peacefulness” with “rising conflict deaths, accelerating geopolitical tensions, and the erosion of social cohesion” responsible for what they call “The Great Fragmentation.” A record 78 countries are involved in conflicts beyond their borders, and 87 countries overall recorded a deterioration in peacefulness, the report shows.
