Written by The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) officially released the 20th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) in June 2026. Evaluating 163 independent states and territories—accounting for 99.7% of the global population—the GPI remains the world’s premier measure of global peacefulness.
While the 2026 report highlights a continued global trajectory of deteriorating peacefulness driven by internationalised conflicts and geopolitical fragmentation, several nations stand out for their exceptional safety, stability, and security.
Below is the definitive guide to the top 25 most peaceful countries in 2026, extracted directly from the official IEP primary data, formatted for quick reference and analysis.
Key Findings from the 2026 Report
Before diving into the rankings, here are the most critical takeaways from the latest global data:
- 12th Consecutive Decline: The average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.7% over the past year, marking the 12th consecutive year of decline.
- The Reigning Champion: Iceland retains its position as the most peaceful country in the world for an unprecedented 19th consecutive year, having held the #1 spot since 2008.
- The “Great Fragmentation”: The world is experiencing a profound geopolitical shift, with middle powers rising in influence and traditional European economic spheres facing new challenges.
- Technology in Warfare: Drone attacks have skyrocketed by roughly 11,500% between 2018 and 2025, and AI-enabled war infrastructure is increasingly deployed in global conflicts.
The Official Top 25 Global Peace Index Rankings (2026)
The table below details the top 25 most peaceful nations. The GPI Score operates on a scale from 1 to 5, where a lower score indicates a higher level of peace. The Rank Change column indicates the absolute number of positions a country moved compared to its finalized placement in the previous year’s dataset.
| Rank | Country | GPI Score (2026) | Rank Change (YoY) | Region |
| 1 | Iceland | 1.161 | 0 | Europe |
| 2 | New Zealand | 1.343 | 1 | Asia-Pacific |
| 3 | Switzerland | 1.363 | 1 | Europe |
| 4 | Slovenia | 1.369 | 2 | Europe |
| 5 | Ireland | 1.371 | 1 | Europe |
| 6 | Austria | 1.421 | 1 | Europe |
| 7 | Portugal | 1.427 | 1 | Europe |
| 8 | Singapore | 1.435 | 1 | Asia-Pacific |
| 9 | Finland | 1.478 | 1 | Europe |
| 10 | Japan | 1.489 | 3 | Asia-Pacific |
| 11 | Denmark | 1.504 | 2 | Europe |
| 12 | Malaysia | 1.513 | 1 | Asia-Pacific |
| 13 | Czech Republic | 1.517 | 1 | Europe |
| 14 | Canada | 1.525 | 1 | North America |
| 15 | Hungary | 1.538 | 1 | Europe |
| 16 | Bhutan | 1.546 | 2 | South Asia |
| 17 | Netherlands | 1.566 | 0 | Europe |
| 18 | Mauritius | 1.586 | 11 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 19 | Latvia | 1.589 | 0 | Europe |
| 20 | Australia | 1.602 | 4 | Asia-Pacific |
| 21 | Belgium | 1.608 | 5 | Europe |
| 22 | Poland | 1.615 | 23 | Europe |
| 23 | Croatia | 1.619 | 2 | Europe |
| 24 | Lithuania | 1.620 | 3 | Europe |
| 25 | Estonia | 1.623 | 5 | Europe |
Note on Data: The data reflects the 2026 IEP Global Peace Index report published in June 2026. The “Rank Change” reflects the magnitude of positional shifts from the revised previous dataset.
Regional Highlights & Trends
Europe: The Bastion of Stability
Europe remains the most peaceful region globally. An impressive 15 out of the top 25 countries (and 7 of the top 10) are located in Europe. Countries like Switzerland, Slovenia, and Ireland consistently score exceptionally well due to robust democratic institutions, low internal conflict, and high societal safety. Notably, Poland saw a massive upward swing, moving 23 positions into the top 25.
Asia-Pacific: Steady Performers
The Asia-Pacific region is highly represented at the top of the index, showcasing strong ongoing conflict mitigation and high societal safety:
- New Zealand (#2): Continues to hold the lowest Ongoing Conflict score in the region.
- Singapore (#8): A consistent top 10 performer known for remarkably low crime rates.
- Japan (#10): Broke back into the top 10 this year, driven by a 6.3% improvement in its Ongoing Conflict domain and significant drops in internal conflict intensity.
North America & Africa
- Canada (#14): Remains the sole North American representative in the top 25, vastly outperforming its southern neighbor (the United States currently ranks 134th due to rising political violence and violent demonstrations).
- Mauritius (#18): Stands out as a beacon of peace in Sub-Saharan Africa, leaping 11 spots this year to secure a top 20 position.
Methodology: How is the GPI Calculated?
The Institute for Economics & Peace uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to calculate the final score. These indicators are grouped into three primary domains:
- Societal Safety and Security: Evaluates the level of internal harmony, including crime rates, violent demonstrations, political instability, and the proportion of the population in prison.
- Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict: Measures the extent to which a country is involved in internal and external conflicts, as well as the number of casualties resulting from those conflicts.
- Degree of Militarisation: Assesses military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, the size of armed forces, and access to small arms and heavy weapons.
To achieve a top 25 ranking, a nation must demonstrate exceptional performance across all three pillars, particularly by maintaining “Positive Peace”—the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies.