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| Reykjavik calm: Iceland leads the peace rankings. |
Iceland has been named the most peaceful country worldwide in the 2025 Global Peace Index.
The index is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. It ranks 163 states and territories. The 2025 report gives Iceland a top score for safety and low conflict.
Iceland has now held the top spot for nearly two decades. The run began in 2008. Several outlets call this the 18th year in a row.
The Global Peace Index measures three broad areas. These are ongoing conflict, societal safety, and militarisation. Scores come from 23 indicators in those areas.
Iceland scores especially well on ongoing conflict. The island records almost no involvement in war or external conflict.
The report also highlights low crime rates and minimal militarisation in Iceland. Those factors help its top rank.
The index notes a strong link between “Positive Peace” and stability. Positive Peace means stable institutions and low social tension. The report ties Positive Peace to better economic resilience.
This year’s GPI covers more than 99 percent of the world’s population. It finds 74 countries improved in peacefulness. Eighty-seven countries showed worse scores.
The report also tracks conflict deaths. In 2024 it recorded about 162,000 conflict-related deaths. Large shares came from wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Other top-ranked countries include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand and Switzerland. They appear in the top five of the index.
The GPI lists the least peaceful nations too. Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Ukraine are among the lowest scorers.
Iceland’s lack of a standing army is central to its low militarisation score. The nation has relied on civil defence and NATO partnerships.
Policing in Iceland is small scale. Crime levels remain low compared with global averages. The index credits tight social ties and trust in public bodies.
Experts quoted in media reports say Iceland’s small population helps keep social systems tight. Low inequality and strong welfare also matter. Those traits appear in the Positive Peace metrics.
The index shows regional trends too. North America saw notable declines in peacefulness, driven by higher violent crime and fear. Several regions recorded net drops in peace.
The GPI’s authors call the recent pattern a long-term deterioration in global peacefulness. They note this is the 12th deterioration in 16 years.
The 2025 GPI uses open sources and databases for its indicators. It draws on conflict trackers, crime stats, and military data. The report lists its methods in full.
Policy makers often use the GPI to guide choices on security and aid. The report’s authors say Positive Peace investment reduces shock risk. The link to economic resilience is highlighted in the text.
Tourism and travel outlets have noted Iceland’s top ranking. They say safety and nature draw visitors year round. Tourism data shows steady flows to Reykjavik and rural sites.
Icelandic officials will likely note the ranking in public statements. Past years saw local leaders reference safety, trust, and rule of law. National agencies often use the GPI to showcase social gains.
The GPI release has spurred commentary worldwide. Some analysts point to the link between peace and wealth. Others highlight the limits of ranking systems for local realities. The report itself urges careful reading of the data.
The Institute for Economics and Peace will publish datasets and country notes with the index. These give deeper scores and fluctuations by indicator. Journalists and researchers can download the full files.
Iceland’s top place does not mean it has no problems. The GPI shows small rises in some violent crimes in recent years. The report flags areas for policy attention.
Still, the island’s overall position remains clear. It leads on the combined measures used in the index. That gives it the world’s top peace ranking for 2025.