Western and Central Europe is, without question, the most peaceful region on the globe. This undeniable fact emerges amid a stark reality: global conflict deaths have soared to their highest point in 25 years, while militarization has escalated in 106 countries over the past two years.
In stark contradiction, the resolution of conflicts has plummeted to its lowest levels in half a century. These statistics demand our attention and action.
Methodology
Based on a rigorous analysis by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Global Peace Index evaluates countries using 23 key indicators. Impressively, this assessment encompasses 99.7% of the world’s population across 163 territories.
The Global Peace Index Rankings
The standings for 2025 are clear: there is no ambiguity in who leads the charge towards peace.
| Rank | Country | Global Peace Index Score 2025 | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 1.10 | Very High |
| 2 | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 1.26 | Very High |
| 3 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 1.28 | Very High |
| 4 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 1.29 | Very High |
| 5 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 1.29 | Very High |
| 6 | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 1.36 | Very High |
| 7 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 1.37 | Very High |
| 8 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 1.39 | Very High |
| 9 | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 1.41 | Very High |
| 10 | 🇫🇮 Finland | 1.42 | Very High |
Iceland sits proudly atop this list, leading the world in peace for an astonishing 17 consecutive years. The strength of peace in this region is palpable, with 12 countries classified as “Very High” in peacefulness, nine of which hail from Western and Central Europe.
In stark contrast, Russia has plummeted to the bottom of the rankings, experiencing one of the largest declines in peace. Ukraine and Sudan follow as tragic examples of unrest, with Israel and Palestine further down the list, standing at 155th and 145th, respectively.
