The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 provides a comprehensive assessment of global peacefulness, ranking 163 independent countries and territories based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation. While the world generally faces increasing geopolitical instability and conflict, this report highlights the top 10 safest countries that continue to exemplify exceptional peace and stability. From Iceland's long-standing reign as the most peaceful nation to the consistent performance of countries like Ireland and New Zealand, these nations showcase the benefits of strong governance, low crime rates, and inclusive societies. This introduction will delve into the leading countries, examining the factors that contribute to their high rankings in the pursuit of a more peaceful world.
In 2025, the Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks the safest country in the world. It analyses the different countries in different parameters, and then annually, every year, it is published as the most peaceful countries list. This report is published by the Institute of Economics and Peace, which defines itself, as per worldpopulationreview “an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organisation dedicated to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and progress.”
The GPI evaluates the 163 countries, ranking them based on their level of safety and peacefulness. These parameters include political stability, rate of violent crime, terrorism threat, levels of internal and external conflicts, and military expenditure as a share of GDP.
How peaceful any country is decided by the GPI score, as the lower the GPI score, the higher the level of peace and the safer the countries in the world.
Global Peace Index 2025: Top 10 Countries
List Of 10 Safest Countries in the World | ||
---|---|---|
Rank | Country | GPI Score |
1 | Iceland | 1.095 |
2 | Ireland | 1.260 |
3 | New Zealand | 1.282 |
4 | Austria | 1.294 |
5 | Switzerland | 1.294 |
6 | Siingapore | 1.357 |
7 | Portugal | 1.371 |
8 | Denmark | 1.393 |
9 | Slovenia | 1.409 |
10 | Finland | 1.420 |
Rank 1: Iceland
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.095
Source: rcinet
Iceland continues to top the list in 2025 also as the world’s most peaceful nation, maintaining its first-place ranking since 2008. With a remarkably low crime rate and a longstanding policy of avoiding military involvement—highlighted by the absence of a standing army—Iceland exemplifies internal stability. The country also boasts excellent air quality, a high standard of living, and one of the world’s longest life expectancies. Social inclusivity is a strong suit, with equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community and virtually no gender pay disparity.
Rank 2: Ireland
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.260
Source: Irish Central
Ireland ranks at second place in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 also across the world. The life expectancy of Ireland is about 82.2 years, which is higher than other European countries. Crime rates in Ireland are trending down in recent years. In 2025, for the health budget, €25.8 billion is given for health services.
Rank 3: New Zealand
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.282
Source: Forbes
New Zealand holds the third rank in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 across the world and New Zealand improves its ranking from 2024 which was at fourth ranks scored at 1.323. It is one of the most peaceful countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Its peace index score slightly increases in 2025 due to maintain all its expenditure in all sectors.
Rank 4: Austria
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.294
Source: Expat Explore
Austria holds fourth rank in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 across the world. Austria is one of the lowest economic-cost countries for the violence, making internal comparisons to any other country in the world. Its peace index score slightly decrese in 2025 as Austria was in third position in last year and due to increases in expenditurs of overall country, it comes at fourth rank.
Rank 5: Switzerland
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.294
Source: Lonely Planet
Switzerland holds the fifth rank in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 across the world. Switzerland is officially called the Swiss Confederation, which is a small European country. All parameters of safety and peace for considering the ranks make it good enough to score in the top safest countries in the world. In 2024, it was at 6th position in safety and peaceful countries but due to maintain its peace and security in 2025, Switzerland comes at fifth ranks in 2025.
Rank 6: Singapore
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.357
Source: Travel.Earth
Singapore now holds the sixth rank in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 across the world, which was at fifth ranks in 2024. It is the second-most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, just behind New Zealand. Parahapes, it ranking comes down in 2025 but still the crime rates are very low in Singapore, and other parameters like public health, infrastructure and environmental safety are also considered to be good.
Rank 7: Portugal
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.371
Source: Orience
Portugal holds the seventh rank in safety and peaceful countries in 2025 across the world. In European countries, Portugal ranks 5th. From 2014, Portugal's rank was 18th, and across its improvements in all parameters of safety and security, now Portugal is able to maintain its rank in the top 10 safest and most secure countries in the world and also it maintain its peace index score against in last year, 2024, which was 1.372
Rank 8: Denmark
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.393
Source: National Geographic Kids
Denmark holds the eighth rank in safety and peaceful countries across the world in 2025. In 2024, its peace index score was 1.382, which was better than this year in 2025, but due to some uncircumstances and an increase in overall expenditure, its peaec index scores slightly increases but Denmark maintain its overall 8th rank in safety and peaceful countries. Apart from this, Denmark is the country in Europe which is famous for its Viking heritage and being a crime-free country.
Rank 9: Slovenia
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.409
Source: Earth.com
Slovenia holds the ninth rank in safety and peaceful countries across the world in 2025. Slovenia also has its peace score 1.395, which was better than in 2025, but this increase in score is due to increase in expenditure in budget but it maintaing its overall ranking in safety and peaceful countries. Slovenia belongs to Europe, and here also all crime rates are very low. Here all the parameters for considering peacefulness and security are fulfilled to be secure and peaceful countries in the world.
Rank 10: Finland
Global Peace Index Score (2025): 1.420
Source: FinlandQ
Finland holds the tenth rank in safety and peaceful countries across the world in 2025. Last year in 2024, Malaysia was holding 10th ranks in safety and peaceful countries across the world. But, this year, Finland, finally re-enter among top 10 safest coutries in the world. Finland has improved in over all crimes rate and also its internal and external terror with politically stable.
Conclusion
The Global Peace Index serves as a powerful reminder that peace, safety, and stability are achievable when nations focus on inclusive governance, low crime, and minimal conflict. Countries like Iceland, Ireland show that consistent efforts in social harmony and responsible governance can create a secure environment for their citizens and the world at large.
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