The world’s safest – and least safe – countries have been named, according to the Global Peace Index 2026.The latest Index, created by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), found ‘the world has continued its longstanding trajectory of deteriorating peacefulness, with armed conflict the dominant driver of the decline’.It concluded there are now more active state-based conflicts than at any point since the end of the Second World War.The number of countries involved in external conflict has nearly doubled since 2008. Nations are ranked based on indicators such as deaths from internal conflict, neighbouring country relations, and UN peacekeeping funding.The UK ranks as the 39th most peaceful country in the world – dropping from 34th place in the index in 2025. Here’s a rundown of the safest – and the least safe – spots…
THE TOP 101. Iceland Iceland tops the ranking as the world’s most peaceful country in 2026Taking the impressive winning spot – and thereby scooping up the title of world’s safest country – is Iceland, the most peaceful place on earth.The reasons for its success are, according to the Global Peace Index, the absence of a standing military, very low crime rates and strong social cohesion. Iceland has held the title since 2008, and as such has a reputation as a great place to live and travel.2. New Zealand New Zealand ranks as the second most peaceful country in the world in 2026Taking the silver medal is New Zealand, the highest rated in the Asia-Pacific region.The country experienced a marginal improvement in peacefulness over the past year, with its overall score improving by 0.4 per cent and moving up from third place.New Zealand ranks among the top countries globally in the categories of ongoing conflict and safety and security. 3. Switzerland Switzerland came in third place in the analysis, taking home the bronze medalNext up is Switzerland – hardly a surprise given the country’s reputation as a haven with a great standard of living and very little conflict. Switzerland even recently ranked as the ‘gold standard’ spot for safe solo travel, and scored the best overall for female solo trips.An impressive 83 per cent of women said they felt ‘very safe’ when visiting the destination, and no survey participants in research by Holiday Extras reported feeling unsafe there.4. Slovenia Slovenia, known for its scenery and nature, took the fourth spot Slovenia takes the fourth place for peace, a European nation with low levels of violent crime – around 5.4 crimes per 100,000 people, according to some rankings.In terms of travel popularity, Slovenia is slowly on the rise – and its capital, Ljubljana, is at the centre of that. Visitors should, however, be conscious of petty crime such as pickpocketing, especially in touristic areas.5. Ireland Ireland takes fifth place for peace on the ranking, dropping from second place in 2025Rounding out the top five is Ireland, although it has lost some credit after it scored second last year. Homicide rates are very low here, and tourists in particular have very little risk factor in Ireland. The home of Guinness is a popular destination among Brits, with short flights making it extremely accessible too – and safe for a stress-free weekend getaway. 6. Austria Austria took sixth place in the Global Peace Index 2026 Austria lands just outside the top five, and has consistently made the top 10 in recent times on the Global Peace Index.The FCDO says: ‘Crime levels are generally low. However, there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly pickpocketing, in the big city centres and city parks after dark.’Vienna, the country’s capital, was crowned the world’s most liveable city in 2024, and is also one of the world’s best to navigate while walking. 7. Portugal Unsurprising given its popularity among expats, Portugal came in seventh placePortugal is an increasingly popular destination among Brits seeking a safer, better lifestyle abroad – so it is not a shock it takes seventh place in the Global Peace Index. Terry Coles, a US expat who has lived in Portugal for seven years, claims that ‘violent crime is virtually unheard of’. Plus, one Brit who moved to the country also revealed it feels much safer than the UK for her.8. Singapore Next up is veritable safe haven Singapore, taking position number eight In eighth place is Singapore, the second-highest scoring country in the Asia-Pacific region.This country ranks extremely well for ongoing conflict, as well as societal safety and security.The GOV.UK website explains: ‘Violent crime and theft are rare in Singapore,’ however scams are becoming increasingly common. 9. Finland Finland is known for its peace and high quality of life In ninth place is Finland, which also ranks extremely well for ongoing conflict, as well as societal safety and security.Visit Finland says: ‘Finland isn’t just the happiest place in the world; it’s also one of the safest countries to live or travel in. Comparatively, crime rates are low.’Although you might find yourself in the midst of a storm or blizzard, major natural disasters such as tornados, typhoons and earthquakes are practically non-existent.’10. Japan Rounding out the top 10 is Japan, home to temples, gardens, shrines and traditional foodJapan’s score jumped by 1.5 per cent in 2026, rising to 10th place in the ranking.According to the index, this was due to its improvement in terms of ongoing conflict. However, ‘the militarisation domain deteriorated by 3.6 per cent, reflecting Japan’s ongoing defence expansion’, it explained, with the country approving a record defence budget of $55 billion (£41bn) in 2025. THE BOTTOM 10 154. Mali One of the least safe countries in the world is MaliOn the other end of the scale, Mali was the 10th-worst country for peace on the globe.The country has been facing an ongoing political crisis since 2012, despite a 2015 peace agreement. Political armed groups, jihadist groups and transnational criminal networks have been fighting in Mali for years, creating a serious sense of instability.The report says: ‘The central Sahel, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger accounted for nearly half of global terrorism deaths in 2025, and terrorism-related deaths in the Sahel have risen nearly tenfold since 2019.’ 155. Syria Syria was another hotspot for civilian fatalities, damaging its score. Pictured: A member of the army stands guard in Damascus, Syria Ranking 155th out of 163 countries, Syria has been affected by high-intensity conflict.The Syrian civil war was ‘the most complex proxy conflict of the twenty-first century’, the report says, and only ended in 2024.However, the country has still been affected in the years following the end of the Assad regime, with an estimated 2,100 deaths in 2025 after its fall.156. Yemen In position 156 is Yemen, which has seen many protests and much discontentConflict in Yemen has resulted in the Arab country coming in 156th place in the Global Peace Index.The country’s civil war started in 2014, between Yemen’s government and the Iran-backed Houthi movement.Yemen is, as such, affected by one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to the UN Refugee Agency, with an estimated 4.5 million people, 14 percent of the population, currently displaced.157. Afghanistan Ongoing conflict with Pakistani forces and Taliban security personnel have led to Afghanistan’s low rankingTumultuous Afghanistan ranks in 157th place, and is the least peaceful country in South Asia.The report explains: ‘This is largely the result of the Taliban further consolidating control over political institutions and security structures under a highly centralised system.’Ongoing violence has affected the country, with news this week showing that Pakistan has launched air strikes along the border between the two countries.158. South Sudan In 158th place is South Sudan, which has been affected by civil war in recent yearsSouth Sudan has been greatly impacted by what some have labelled one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, as well as higher rates of homicide.The country has been engulfed by civil war for years, and despite attempts at peace it is still affected by violence, civilian deaths, abductions, and displacements.’The Horn of Africa, comprising Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, and South Sudan, is the clearest example of all factors impacting peace operating at the same time,’ the report explains.159. Israel Israel has been affected by destruction, pictured here in Bnei Brak, after Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on the countryIsrael comes in 159th place, with ongoing regional tensions and political conflict disrupting safety and everyday life.The FCDO says: ‘We recommend against all travel to some parts of Israel and Palestine. The situation could escalate quickly and poses significant risks. Regional tensions may cause international borders (air and land) to close.’If you are in Israel and Palestine, be aware that whilst the frequency of missile and drone attacks has decreased there is a risk of rocket and drone attacks throughout Israel. There is a risk of shrapnel from intercepted missiles falling across Israel and Palestine, and possible disruption at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.’Political tension can cause demonstrations and clashes around anniversaries and significant events.’160. Ukraine The war in Ukraine accounted for 65 per cent of battlefield deaths in 2025, contributing to its low position on the listUkraine, currently still at war with Russia, ranked 160th in the Index.The report claims overall peace in the world decreased this year, adding that the ‘deterioration occurred during a year in which several major violent conflicts, such as those in Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar, entered their third or fourth year’. In total, there were just over 181,000 violent conflict deaths in 2025, driven mainly by the conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan. 161. Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo comes in 161st place, currently facing a new Ebola outbreakThe Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked 161st, and is the least peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa.The country’s conflict situation remains among the most severe in the world, the report explains. It involves the Congolese military clashing with armed rebel groups, the M23 in particular.The report adds: ‘More than seven million people are now internally displaced across the country, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises and underreported conflicts globally.’Meanwhile, the country has recently declared a new Ebola virus disease outbreak.162. Sudan In position 162 is Sudan, which has recently seen drone strikes The Sudanese civil war, which has been ongoing since 2023, has led to tens of thousands of deaths and nearly 14 million people being displaced – hence the country’s low position on the list.Amnesty International said: ‘Both sides of the conflict are rampantly violating human rights and humanitarian law resulting in mass civilian casualties, gender-based violence, and a humanitarian catastrophe that’s arisen from aid being blocked.’It is the ‘world’s largest, most underfunded, and most overlooked humanitarian crisis,’ according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 163. Russia The least peaceful country in the world is Russia – as images show a St Petersburg oil terminal ablaze following a drone strike earlier this monthSince Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the country has been mired in the bloodiest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.In March 2026, Russia recorded around 34,000 casualties, the Global Peace Index report indicated, adding that ‘Ukrainian sources claim that almost all were caused by drone attacks’. The FCDO warns: ‘FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including: security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity, lack of flights to return to the UK and limited ability for the UK government to provide support.’ Global Peace Index 2026 1. Iceland2. New Zealand3. Switzerland4. Slovenia5. Ireland6. Austria7. Portugal8. Singapore9. Finland10. Japan11. Denmark12. Malaysia13. Czechia14. Canada15. Hungary16. Bhutan17. Netherlands18. Mauritius19. Latvia20. Australia21. Belgium22. Poland23. Croatia24. Lithuania25. Estonia26. Bulgaria27. Spain28. Germany29. Slovakia30. Montenegro31. Qatar32. Timor-Leste33. Norway34. Mongolia35. Italy36. Albania37. Uzbekistan38. Equatorial Guinea 39. United Kingdom40. Sweden41. Vietnam 42. Taiwan 43. Uruguay44. Kazakhstan45. Romania46. North Macedonia 47. Tajikistan48. Bosnia and Herzegovina49. Kuwait50. Botswana51. Armenia52. Chile53. Greece54. Kosovo55. Moldova56. The Gambia 57. South Korea58. Laos 59. Madagascar60. Oman61. Kyrgyz Republic62. Costa Rica63. Namibia64. Paraguay65. Morocco66. Turkmenistan67. Sri Lanka68. Jordan69. Indonesia70. Jamaica=70. Serbia72. Argentina73. UAE74. Sierra Leone75. Senegal76. Ghana77. Tunisia78. Angola79. Trinidad and Tobago80. Cyprus81. Panama82. Zambia83. Malawi 84. Papua New Guinea85. Guinea-Bissau86. Lesotho87. Liberia88. Guatemala 89. Dominican Republic90. Zimbabwe91. Algeria92. Bolivia93. Côte d’Ivoire94. Georgia95. Saudi Arabia96. Cambodia97. Honduras98. Tanzania99. France100. Gabon101. Thailand102. Philippines103. Guyana104. Eswatini 105. Djibouti 106. Nicaragua107. Peru108. Bahrain109. Cuba110. Azerbaijan111. Nepal112. Mauritania113. Egypt114. Rwanda115. Belarus116. Guinea 117. Bangladesh118. China119. Togo120. Republic of the Congo121. El Salvador122. Benin 123. South Africa124. Brazil 125. Libya126. Mozambique127. India128. Eritrea129. Burundi130. Uganda131. Lebanon132. Kenya133. Venezuela134. United States of America135. Ecuador136. Türkiye137. Cameroon138. Ethiopia139. Mexico 140. Iraq 141. Colombia142. Haiti=142. Nigeria144. Iran145. Chad146. Niger147. North Korea148. Palestine149. Burkina Faso150. Central African Republic151. Myanmar152. Pakistan153. Somalia154. Mali155. Syria156. Yemen157. Afghanistan158. South Sudan159. Israel160. Ukraine161. Democratic Republic of the Congo162. Sudan163. Russia