Global Peace Index 2026: Top 10 Safest Countries in the World

According to the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI) which was released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Iceland remains as the safest and most peaceful country in the world for the 19th consecutive year.

This index evaluates total 163 countries around the globe by using the indicators which are related to safety, conflict levels and militarization. Despite the increasing geopolitical tensions worldwide there are several countries continue to maintain the high standards of peace, security and stability.

The 2026 edition marks the 20th release of the Global Peace Index and it covers the 99.7% of the world’s population.

What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)?

The Global Peace Index is the annual report that measures the relative peacefulness of the countries worldwide.

It evaluates the nations by using 23 indicators grouped into three major categories and they are,

1. Societal Safety and Security

Crime rates
Homicide rates
Terrorism impact
Perceptions of safety

2. Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict

Internal conflicts
External conflicts
Conflict-related deaths

3. Militarization

Military expenditure
Armed forces personnel
Weapons imports and exports

From this parameters, low score indicates the a country peaceful.

Key Highlights of Global Peace Index 2026

The Global peace has been declined for the 12th consecutive year.
Around 99 countries became less peaceful compared to the last year.
The world has recorded the 61 active state-based conflicts which is the highest level since World War II.
Iceland has retained the No. 1 sport for the 19th consecutive year.
Russia also ranked as the least peaceful country worldwide.
South Asia has recorded the largest deterioration in the peacefulness among all regions.

Top 10 Safest Countries in the World in 2026

Rank	Country	GPI Score
1	Iceland	1.161
2	New Zealand	1.343
3	Switzerland	1.363
4	Slovenia	1.369
5	Ireland	1.371
6	Austria	1.421
7	Portugal	1.427
8	Singapore	1.435
9	Finland	1.478
10	Japan	1.489

Overview of the Top 5 Safest Countries

1. Iceland

Iceland has maintained the its position as the world’s safest country since the year 2008.

The country has no standing army, low crime rates, having strong democratic institutions and a high level of the social trust.

The population of Iceland is around 382,000 and continues to be the global model of peace and security.

Why Iceland is Safe

There is no permanent military
Extremely low crime rates
Strong social cohesion
Political stability

2. New Zealand

New Zealand moved to second place in the year 2026. The country enjoys low levels of the violent crime, transparent governance and a peaceful international stance.

Key Strengths

Stable democracy
Low corruption
Friendly society
Minimal involvement in the international conflicts

3. Switzerland

This place is known for its long-standing neutrality and Switzerland remains as among the world’s safest nations.

Reasons for High Ranking

Political neutrality in Most Stances
Strong legal institutions
High quality of life
Low crime levels in the country

4. Slovenia

Slovenia continues to rank among the Europe’s most peaceful nations due to the its political stability, low crime and strong social welfare systems.

5. Ireland

Ireland has consistently maintained the high peace levels with the effective governance, low militarization and economic stability.

How Does the Global Peace Index Measure Safety?

The Global Peace Index uses the multiple indicators to assess the safety and peace.

Important Indicators

Homicide rate
Violent crime levels
Political instability
Terrorism impact
Military expenditure
Access to weapons
Number of prisoners
Deaths due to conflict

Where Does India Rank in Global Peace Index 2026?

India ranks at the 127th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2026 with a score of 2.409.

India’s ranking is declined by the three positions compared to the previous year.

Reasons for India’s Lower Ranking

Internal security challenges
Regional tensions in the South Asia
Communal and the ethnic conflicts
Border-related security concerns
Increased geopolitical instability in the neighboring regions

Despite the decline, India remains as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and the continues efforts to improve the internal security and stability.