Countries – In an age of rising conflict and tension, the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) underscores a continuing decline in global peacefulness. In fact, the 2025 GPI found that world peace deteriorated by 0.36% over the previous year.
Despite this trend, certain nations consistently rank as the world’s most peaceful. Iceland holds the #1 spot, a position it has maintained since 2008 – and it remains joined by fellow Europeans and low-conflict countries at the top of the list. (Western and Central Europe is today the planet’s most peaceful region, containing eight of the ten most peaceful countries.)
In the paragraphs below we profile the top 10 countries from the latest GPI data, highlighting the key factors, such as low crime, stable governance, social trust and the absence of conflict, that help explain their high rankings.
1. Iceland
Iceland ranks as the world’s most peaceful country by a wide margin. It has no military and scores a perfect 1.000 on the GPI’s ongoing-conflict domain, meaning it is not involved in any domestic or international conflicts. The country’s tight-knit society features extremely low crime and high social trust.
In Iceland police carry no firearms (only batons and pepper spray) and residents enjoy strong rule of law and generous social equality policies. All these factors, along with thriving democratic institutions and a stable economy, combine to give Iceland near-unanimous positive peace.
2. Ireland
Ireland consistently appears near the top of peace rankings. Its political climate is extremely stable and democratic, with very low levels of political violence or terror.
In the 2025 index Ireland saw reductions in political terror and crime perception issues. The country’s long-standing neutrality and high-functioning democracy help maintain calm; Ireland has one of the world’s lowest incarceration rates and very few violent incidents.
Petty crime is rare outside a few city areas, and Irish people generally report feeling very safe. High levels of social welfare and cohesion, including widespread trust in government and police – also contribute to Ireland’s peacefulness.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand’s ranking reflects its famously tranquil society and absence of conflict. It rose to #3 in 2025 after improving its scores in both conflict and safety indicators.
Violent crime in New Zealand is very low, and it recorded significant improvements in measures of violent demonstrations and terrorism impact in 2025.
Culturally, New Zealanders benefit from a cohesive community and liberal social attitudes. The country has strong rule of law and police do not routinely carry guns, keeping daily life very safe. (By contrast with many neighbors, New Zealand also has virtually no dangerous wildlife.) Its geographic isolation and small population help limit crime and conflict, making New Zealand one of the safest places on earth.
4. Austria
Austria has long been one of Europe’s most peaceful nations. Its political environment is very stable, with established democratic institutions and a consensus-oriented government.
Serious crime is rare in Austria, violent demonstrations are uncommon and usually easily avoided, and the country has been spared major terrorist attacks in recent years. Austria’s central location in Europe and strong social safety nets contribute to a high quality of life and low social tension.
On the GPI, Austria performs especially well in the safety/security and militarization domains, thanks in part to limited involvement in conflicts and strict controls on weaponry. Overall, Austria’s low crime rates, prosperous economy, and secure society keep it in the top ranks of peaceful countries.
5. Switzerland
Switzerland’s famed neutrality and stability support its high peace ranking. It consistently scores very well on governance and security. Switzerland has not participated in armed conflict for centuries, and its citizens experience very low levels of violent crime.
The country’s strong economy, decentralized democracy, and social cohesion, with local decision-making and broad political consensus, all help sustain peace. Switzerland’s neutrality has also made it a center for international diplomacy (hosting the Red Cross, UN agencies, etc.), which reinforces its peaceful international stance.
In everyday life, Swiss residents enjoy one of the world’s lowest homicide rates and a well-functioning legal system, further cementing Switzerland’s status among the safest nations.
6. Singapore
Singapore stands out as Asia’s most peaceful country, and ranks sixth globally. The city-state’s high safety stems from extremely low crime rates and a lack of internal conflict. Strict law enforcement and severe penalties for even minor offenses keep streets safe. Singapore also imposes tight gun and weapon controls, contributing to very few violent incidents. Politically,
Singapore is stable and non-combative: it avoids involvement in external wars and records almost no conflict deaths, which puts it near the top in the GPI’s ongoing-conflict domain. Its efficient government, strong economy, and cohesive society (with high trust in institutions) also ensure Singapore remains highly secure and peaceful.
7. Portugal
Portugal’s return to the top ten reflects its steady improvements in safety and stability. Over the past decade Portugal has invested in crime prevention and economic reform, which cut violent crime and boosted social welfare.
Perceptions of criminality have improved markedly, and police presence was increased in response to past issues, leading to a lower crime rate overall. Politically, Portugal is very stable with peaceful transitions of power and little unrest. The economy’s recovery (for example, unemployment fell from over 17% to under 7%) has helped reduce social stresses.
Today Portugal is known as a safe retirement and tourism destination, with harmonious communities and minimal violent crime.
8. Denmark
Denmark consistently ranks among the world’s most peaceful due to its egalitarian society and effective governance. The Danish model combines very high social welfare and equality with strong rule of law, factors that make people feel safe at any time of day. Corruption is rare, public services like free education and universal healthcare are robust, and citizens generally trust the police and government.
Crime rates in Denmark are extremely low, even in cities, and there is little political violence. (The 2025 GPI notes that Denmark is globally competitive in peace, though it did slip one place due to modest increases in defense spending triggered by regional security concerns.)
In short, a culture of mutual trust, coupled with a strong safety net, keeps Denmark consistently peaceful.
9. Slovenia
Slovenia enjoys long-term stability in its Central European neighborhood. As a former Yugoslav republic, it avoided the worst conflicts of that region in the 1990s, and today it has a well-established democratic government. Slovenia’s travel security, medical safety and road conditions are all rated among the best globally, reflecting the country’s effective institutions.
Violent crime is very rare, and political disputes are handled peacefully. The nation invests in education, health and infrastructure, which strengthens social cohesion. Overall, Slovenia’s combination of safe streets, reliable public services, and stable governance earns it a place among the top ten most peaceful countries.
10. Finland
Finland’s Nordic model similarly underpins its peace ranking. It re-entered the top ten in 2025 after improvements in security indicators. Finnish society is characterized by minimal violent crime and deep social trust. Even though Finland faces complex security challenges in its region, its crime and homicide rates remain among the world’s lowest.
Moreover, Finland consistently scores high on Positive Peace (measures like good governance, low corruption, education and equality). The Finnish government and police enjoy strong public confidence, and criminal justice is effective.
All these factors – low crime, equitable policies and a stable political system, make Finland one of the safest, most peaceful countries globally.
These ten countries exemplify the attributes of highly peaceful societies: low crime, political stability, social cohesion and minimal conflict. They tend to have strong democratic institutions, transparent governance and high social welfare, which together generate public trust and safety.
Notably, most are in Europe, reflecting that Western and Central Europe is currently the world’s most peaceful region, though safe nations also appear in Oceania and Asia.
As global tensions rise, the GPI analysis highlights that these countries’ commitment to rule of law, equality and international neutrality help them remain bastions of peace. In sum, despite the broader decline in peace, nations that invest in social stability and refrain from conflict continue to top the GPI rankings.