Global Peace Index 2025 is a comprehensive, data-driven report that ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. In the latest 19th edition of the GPI, Iceland has secured its position as the most peaceful country in the world. On the other hand, India has improved its rank to 115th in the Global Peace Index 2025. Read on to learn more about this global index!
The 19th edition of the Global Peace Index 2025 provides a detailed snapshot of the state of peace across the world. Released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), this index analyses 163 countries based on factors like internal safety, levels of conflict, and militarisation.
GPI 2025 noted a continued decline in global peacefulness, reaching its lowest level since the index began. Here is an overview:
Global Peace Index 2025 Overview | |
Edition | 19th Edition (2025) |
Coverage | 163 countries/territories (99.7% of the world population) |
Produced by | Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) |
Peace Domains |
|
Indicators Used | 23 (qualitative & quantitative) |
Global Trend (2025) | Peacefulness dropped by 0.36% (13th drop in 17 years) |
Most Peaceful Country | Iceland (since 2008) |
Top 5 Peaceful Countries | Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland |
Least Peaceful Country | Russia (new lowest) |
Bottom 5 Countries | Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, DRC, Yemen |
Most Peaceful Region | Western & Central Europe (8 of the top 10) |
Least Peaceful Region | Middle East & North Africa |
India’s Rank | 115th |
Overall GPI Trend (2008–2023) | 94 countries deteriorated, 66 improved, 1 no change |
The top 10 countries in the Global Peace Index 2025 are known for their low crime rates, minimal conflict, strong governance, and low military involvement. These nations also focus on social equality and economic stability, which contribute to their peaceful environment. Here is the list of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world 2025:
GPI Rank | Country | Region | Score |
1 | Iceland | Europe | 1.095 |
2 | Ireland | Europe | 1.260 |
3 | New Zealand | Oceania | 1.282 |
4 | Austria | Europe | 1.294 |
5 | Switzerland | Europe | 1.294 |
6 | Singapore | Asia | 1.357 |
7 | Portugal | Europe | 1.371 |
8 | Denmark | Europe | 1.393 |
9 | Slovenia | Europe | 1.409 |
10 | Finland | Europe | 1.420 |
Also Read, Global Gender Gap Index 2025
On the opposite end, the least peaceful countries are often affected by war, terrorism, or high levels of political instability. These nations face challenges such as weak law enforcement, active conflicts, and poor governance. Countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan continue to face severe armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Here is the list of the least peaceful countries in 2025 Global Peace Index:
GPI Rank | Country | Region | Score |
163 | Russia | Europe/Asia | 3.441 |
162 | Ukraine | Europe | 3.434 |
161 | Sudan | Africa | 3.323 |
160 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | 3.292 |
159 | Yemen | Middle East | 3.262 |
158 | Afghanistan | Asia | 3.229 |
157 | Syria | Middle East | 3.184 |
156 | South Sudan | Africa | 3.117 |
155 | Israel | Middle East | 3.108 |
154 | Mali | Africa | 3.061 |
India has ranked 115th in the Global Peace Index 2025 with a score of 2.229. This represents a slight improvement from its rank of 116 in 2024 and continues an upward trend from 2019 onwards. India’s progress is attributed to stronger law enforcement, better handling of internal conflicts, and improvements in safety indicators.
Regionally, India is ahead of its neighbors: Bangladesh (123), Pakistan (144), and Afghanistan (158). However, it still faces challenges like border tensions, local unrest, and regional conflicts. Here is India’s rank in the Global Peace Index so far:
Year | Rank |
2025 | 115 |
2024 | 116 |
2023 | 126 |
2020 | 139 |
2019 | 141 |
The Global Peace Index Score is calculated using 23 indicators grouped into three main domains:
Ongoing Conflict: Evaluates the impact of war, civil unrest, and international tensions.
Societal Safety and Security: Measures the level of crime, political stability, and public safety.
Militarisation: Assesses a nation’s military spending, access to weapons, and presence of armed forces.
A lower GPI score means a more peaceful country. In 2025, many countries experienced increased conflict and militarisation. At the same time, some nations improved in safety and governance.
According to the 2025 GPI report, global peace is deteriorating by 0.36%, which is the highest since World War II. Despite the global decline, peaceful nations continued to reduce crime, invest in human development, and manage international relations peacefully.
To sum up, the Global Peace Index 2025 shows that while global peace is under pressure, many countries are still working to build safer and more stable societies. India’s slight improvement signals hope for the region.
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