Iceland is still the most peaceful country in the world
For the first time since the GPI was established, Russia is the most peaceful country in the world. Photo: IEP
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has identified the most peaceful countries in the world. Germany is not among the top ten. The overview:
For the 2025 Global Peace Index, IEP examined 163 independent states and territories across 23 indicators, finding a sustained decline in global peacefulness since 2014. Many key indicators that precede major conflict are higher than at any time since World War II. The rising death toll from conflict, increasing geopolitical tensions, and the assertiveness of middle powers are driving the "Great Fragmentation"—a fundamental reshaping of the global order that marks the emergence of a new geopolitical era. Combined with great power competition, asymmetric warfare technologies, and the growing indebtedness of fragile economies, the prospects for further conflict are high.
There are currently 59 active state conflicts—the most since the end of World War II—with 152,000 conflict-related deaths in 2024. Last year, there were 17 countries with more than 1,000 deaths in internal conflicts—the highest number since 1999—and another 18 countries with more than 100 deaths. The number of globally influential countries has nearly tripled since the end of the Cold War, rising from 13 to 34 by 2023. Furthermore, conflicts are becoming increasingly internationalized: in 2024, 78 countries were involved in conflicts outside their borders.
- Iceland
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Finland
Europe is represented in the ranking by 14 countries among the top 20 most peaceful countries in the world, with Western and Central Europe being the most peaceful region in the world. Iceland has led the top ten as the most peaceful country in the world since 2008, followed by Ireland and Austria. Germany only ranks 14th regionally and 20th globally. France ranks lowest in Western and Central Europe, coming in 33rd (worldwide: 74th). Ukraine, followed by Russia, ranks last worldwide.
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- Netherlands
Gambia climbed 16 places to 55th, Armenia climbed ten places to 58th, and Malawi climbed 14 places to 71st. Saudi Arabia also climbed 14 places to 90th, moving into the middle range. The same applies to Peru (96th).
Norway, for example, fell eight places to 32nd place, as did Mongolia (-8, 37th place), Tanzania (-8, 73rd place), and Angola (-11, 76th place). Bolivia fell ten places to 83rd, Cambodia fell twelve places to 87th, Trinidad and Tobago fell 17 places to 89th, Jamaica (-13, 93rd place), China (-11, 98th place), and Bangladesh (-33, 123rd place).
The study can be found here .
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