The Institute for Economics and Peace has released the 2026 Global Peace Index, ranking Iceland as the most peaceful country on Earth. The index, which covers 99.7 percent of the world's population, uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources to measure peacefulness across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.
Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries
The ten most peaceful countries in the world for 2026 are: Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland, and Japan. The list was shared via the Global Peace Index's X handle on June 9, 2026.
Global Peace Deteriorates
The 2026 GPI reveals a world grappling with the economic consequences of a record-high number of conflicts, which are increasingly interconnected and difficult to resolve. This is driven by a profound geopolitical shift characterised by the rising influence of middle powers and the waning strength of traditional European powers, termed the 'Great Fragmentation.' A rapid technological revolution in warfare is leaving international law and diplomacy far behind.
Key findings from the report include: global peace is at its lowest level since the inception of the index; 99 countries witnessed a deterioration in peacefulness in the past year, the highest number in 20 years; 119 countries, or 73 percent, are now less peaceful than when the GPI was first published in 2007; and the number of countries engaged in external conflict has nearly doubled from 59 in 2008 to 103 in the 2026 GPI.
Most Peaceful Countries in Africa
Despite rising global conflict, Mauritius, Botswana, and Namibia remain Africa's most peaceful nations in 2025. Mauritius secured 26th place globally, Botswana ranked 43rd, and Namibia held the 50th position worldwide. Nigeria's broader challenges around security and societal safety continue to heavily affect its overall peace ranking.
The report underscores that the conditions preceding conflict are the worst since World War II, highlighting the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to reverse the trend of declining global peace.
