World’s most peaceful countries of 2025 revealed

In a time of global uncertainty and tensions, safety and peace are top of mind. Although conflict is on the rise globally, many countries continue to uphold a secure environment.

One way to analyse these changes is through the Global Peace Index, which provides an overview of the world’s changing stability. Spearheaded by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the organization recently revealed their 2025 rankings.

Here’s a look at the top 10 most peaceful countries, as per the Global Peace Index report of 2025.

Iceland has held the position for the world’s most peaceful country since 2008. This year, Iceland gained the top spot by a significant margin, with an apparent large difference between the peace scores of the first and second country. Notably, Iceland does not have a military, making it the only country within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance to do so.

Ireland has once again ranked number two in the Global Peace Index. Ireland is also the second most peaceful country in the European region, ranking just below Iceland once again. Traditionally, Ireland has been a key player in global peacemaking as an avid contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping organisation.

New Zealand climbed up one position from last year’s results, placing it in the top three. In fact, the country recorded an improvement in peacefulness of 3.1 percent in the past year. Regionally, New Zealand takes the top position for 2025, while also being the only Pacific nation to make the top 10 list. The country maintains an active role in global peace efforts, and even served on the United Nations Security Council in 2015-2016.

This year, Austria’s ranking fell by one spot, dethroning it from the top three group. The country placed third in the regional Western and Central Europe ranks. Austria has had a long history of participating in UN Peacekeeping Africa, Balkans and Middle East. In fact, in 2024, the country marked their 50 year landmark involvement with the UN.

Switzerland’s ranking has improved by one spot this year, making it a part of the top five most peaceful countries. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks number four for most peaceful country. In terms of global contribution, Switzerland has provided over $34 million to the UN Peacebuilding Fund since it first began in 2006.

Singapore ranked in the sixth position this year, dropping by one spot. Despite its small size, the island city-state ranks number two regionally. Singapore is the only Asian country to achieve a position in the top 10. Internationally, for more than 35 years, the Singaporean military and police have been involved in 17 peacekeeping and observer missions.

Portugal has maintained its seventh positon from last year. Regionally, Portugal has earned a spot in the top five most peaceful countries. For 65 years, the country has been participating in UN Peacekeeping and most actively works with the UN Missions in Central African Republic, Colombia, and South Sudan.

Denmark has also maintained its rank from 2024’s rankings. Among other European nations, Denmark ranks sixth. The Global Peace Index also reports that Denmark is one the nations that reported some of the largest deteriorations of militarisation in 2025. Denmark was one of the key players involved in the establishment of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and even served as a member in 2023 and 2024. 

Slovenia’s ranking remains unchanged since last year. In Europe specifically, Slovenia has earned the seventh positon. One of the country’s recent contributions to peacekeeping includes becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. This is the second time the country has taken this position.

Finland has had the best improvement in the Global Peace Index, as it climbed up by three positions, making it in the top 10 group for 2025. Regionally, the country ranks at eighth position. Finland is a multi-year partner to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and provided annual contributions worth 2 million Euros from 2023 to 2025.

Consequently, the 10 least peaceful countries (in descending order of peace score) are as follows:

According to the IEP, the Global Peace Index takes into account over 20 different qualities across three main categories: the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.

Mariam Khan is a trainee journalist at Gulf News.