Islands of Tranquility: The 10 Most Peaceful Countries in the World 0 13

The Australian Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), in collaboration with international experts, has presented the annual Global Peace Index — a ranking that measures the level of safety and peacefulness in 163 independent states and territories. They were assessed based on 23 indicators — from military expenditures and ongoing conflicts to murder rates and the sense of security among the population.

According to the researchers' findings, by 2026, the world has become less friendly. Over the year, the average level of peacefulness decreased by 0.7% — the situation worsened in 99 out of 163 states and territories. There are now more interstate military conflicts and civil wars than ever since the end of World War II. The number of countries involved in wars has nearly doubled compared to 2008. Due to the protracted war between Russia and Ukraine and the multilateral conflict in the Middle East, the international situation is currently the most militarized in the twenty years of the index's existence.

The best results were shown by countries with low levels of violence, effective state institutions, high levels of public trust and cohesion, high living standards, and good relations with neighbors. For the nineteenth consecutive year, Iceland holds the top position. It is the only NATO member country without a standing army, has an extremely low crime rate, and a high level of public trust. Additionally, geography plays a role: the country is situated away from global conflicts. New Zealand rose one spot in the latest version of the ranking, taking 2nd place, leading in the Asia-Pacific region. Switzerland received 3rd place, combining military neutrality with a low crime rate. Slovenia moved up two spots to 4th place, remaining one of the friendliest countries in Europe. Rounding out the top five is Ireland, which is not part of military blocs and maintains a low level of violence and brutality. The United Kingdom ranks 39th — between Sweden and Equatorial Guinea.

The most unpeaceful country, according to the GPI, is Russia. It is followed by Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and Israel. In the United States, the peace index worsened by 4% over the year, mainly due to rising political instability and protest sentiments. The States currently occupy 134th place in the ranking, falling behind Venezuela and Lebanon.

However, the index, as its creators acknowledge, does not take into account some important risks for tourists — for example, the presence of areas with high petty crime, road safety, and natural disasters. Therefore, travelers are advised to study more comprehensive official government recommendations regarding each destination.

Top 10 countries in the ranking for 2026:

1. Iceland,

2. New Zealand,

3. Switzerland,

4. Slovenia,

5. Ireland,

6. Austria,

7. Portugal,

8. Singapore,

9. Finland,

10. Japan.