Global Peace Index 2026 Reveals World’s 10 Safest Countries, Iceland Retains Top Spot

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has released the Global Peace Index 2026, ranking the world’s safest and most peaceful countries amid growing global instability and conflict.

According to the report, Iceland has once again been named the world’s most peaceful country, maintaining its top position for the 19th consecutive year. The country is known for its extremely low crime rate and the absence of a standing military.

New Zealand ranked second, followed by Switzerland in third place, Slovenia in fourth, and Ireland in fifth. Austria secured sixth position, Portugal seventh, Singapore eighth, Finland ninth, and Japan entered the top ten after climbing three places from last year’s ranking.

The report attributes the success of these countries to low levels of violent crime, political stability, effective governance, and strong relations with neighboring states.

Experts noted that peace is built over decades through consistent policies and institutional strength. In the world’s most peaceful countries, the economic impact of violence accounts for only 2.2 percent of GDP, compared to more than 23 percent in less peaceful nations.

The report also highlighted a worrying global trend, stating that overall peace has deteriorated worldwide for the past 12 years. Internal conflicts have increased significantly since 2010, while the number of countries involved in external conflicts has risen sharply.

The United States fell four places to 134th position in this year’s ranking, with the report citing increased political instability and rising levels of political violence.

Researchers emphasized that the Global Peace Index measures overall peace, security, and societal stability rather than serving as a travel safety guide, noting that even highly ranked countries may still face challenges such as natural disasters, traffic accidents, or petty crime.