Global violence has risen to its highest level since World War Two, yet a small group of countries continues to stand out for peace and stability
According to the 2026 Global Peace Index, overall peacefulness worsened in 99 countries the 12th straight year of decline driven by rising conflicts, higher military spending, and increases in violence. The index evaluates 163 nations across 23 indicators, including military expenditure, ongoing conflict, homicide rates, and perceptions of safety. Countries that rank near the top typically combine low violence with strong institutions, high social trust, good diplomatic relations, and strong quality of life.
Iceland remains the world’s safest country for the 19th consecutive year, improving by 2% in 2026 thanks to a sharp drop in violent demonstrations and low militarisation. Rounding out the top 10 on the 2026 Global Peace Index are:
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Slovenia
- Ireland
- Austria
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Finland
- Japan
These nations provide useful case studies for policies that promote safety, social cohesion, and resilience in an increasingly unstable world
