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Global Peace Index (GPI) serves as the foremost global metric for evaluating the relative position of nations’ peacefulness. In its 19th edition for the year 2025, the GPI continues to offer a critical perspective on international peace, security, and conflict dynamics, encompassing 163 countries and representing 99.7% of the global population.
Global Peace Index 2025 evaluates levels of societal safety, conflict, and militarisation. This reveals a concerning global trend—peacefulness continues to decline amidst growing international tensions and conflicts.
The Global Peace Index is an annual report produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) since 2007, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank. It quantifies peace across countries using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators divided into three key domains:
The GPI has become a standard reference for policymakers, researchers, and international institutions aiming to assess and improve national and global stability.
Global Peace Index 2025 | |
Parameter | Details |
What is Global Peace Index? | A composite index measuring the relative peacefulness of 163 countries using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across 3 domains. |
Published By | Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) |
Edition | 19th Edition (2025) |
Total Countries Covered | 163 |
Top Ranked Country (Most Peaceful) | Iceland (Rank 1, Score: 1.095) |
India’s Rank in 2025 | 115th (Score: 2.229) |
Global Trend in Peacefulness | Overall global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.36% from the previous year |
Countries Improved in Peacefulness | 74 countries |
Countries Deteriorated in Peacefulness | 87 countries |
What is Global Peace Index Score? | A numeric score from 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful) based on indicators |
Least Peaceful Country | Russia (Rank 163, Score: 3.441) |
Region with Largest Deterioration | South Asia |
Economic Cost of Violence (2024) | $19.97 trillion (11.6% of global GDP) |
Most Deteriorated Indicator | External Conflicts Fought |
Most Improved Indicator | Perceptions of Criminality |
The Global Peace Index is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The IEP’s mission is to create a paradigm shift in the way the world thinks about peace by using data to highlight its social and economic benefits.
Source: economicsandpeace
The GPI incorporates data such as:
These factors combine to produce a Global Peace Index score, which determines a country’s ranking on the index. A lower score indicates a higher level of peace.
The Global Peace Index 2025 highlights the 13th deterioration in global peacefulness in the past 17 years, with 87 countries deteriorating and only 74 improving.
Key Finding
There are now 59 active state-based conflicts (the most since WWII) with a staggering 152,000 conflict-related deaths in 2024.
Source: visionofhumanity
Despite global instability, several nations maintain high peacefulness levels. The Top 10 most peaceful countries in the world 2025 are:
Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries (As of Global Peace Index Ranking 2025) | |||
Rank | Country | GPI Score 2025 | Region |
1 | Iceland | 1.095 | Europe |
2 | Ireland | 1.260 | Europe |
3 | New Zealand | 1.282 | Oceania |
4 | Austria | 1.294 | Europe |
5 | Switzerland | 1.294 | Europe |
6 | Singapore | 1.357 | Asia |
7 | Portugal | 1.371 | Europe |
8 | Denmark | 1.393 | Europe |
9 | Slovenia | 1.409 | Europe |
10 | Finland | 1.420 | Europe |
Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008, reinforcing its commitment to low crime rates, political stability, and minimal militarisation.
On the opposite end, the global peace index ranking 2025 shows a big decline in the following nations:
Global Peace Index 2025 (Least Peaceful Countries) | |||
Rank | Country | GPI Score 2025 | Region |
163 | Russia | 3.441 | Eurasia |
162 | Ukraine | 3.434 | Europe |
161 | Sudan | 3.323 | Africa |
160 | Democratic Republic of Congo | 3.292 | Africa |
159 | Yemen | 3.262 | Middle East |
Russia ranks last at 163, followed closely by Ukraine at 162, largely due to the ongoing conflict.
India is ranked 115th with a score of 2.229, improving by 0.58% its position from the previous year. This continues a positive trend, following:
Despite moderate stability, India continues to face internal and cross-border tensions, as well as challenges related to militarisation and political violence.
Global peace index 2025 India rank reflects concerns around domestic unrest and strained neighbour relations, although there have been improvements in some safety indicators.
Each country’s score is calculated based on the weighted performance across the 23 indicators. Scores range from 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful). Lower scores denote better performance on parameters such as internal stability, safety, and minimal conflict involvement.
The Global Peace Index 2025 reveals significant disparities in peacefulness across different regions of the world. While some areas maintain a strong commitment to peace and stability, others are witnessing escalating conflicts and increasing political repression. The following regional trends provide a clearer understanding of how peace is evolving globally:
The Global Peace Index 2025 reveals significant transformations in the global landscape of peace and conflict. Below are some of the most prominent insights derived from the report:
The Global Peace Index 2025 paints a sobering picture. While countries like India are progressing, global peacefulness is at its lowest since the GPI began. The increasing presence of internationalised intrastate conflicts, rising militarisation, and geopolitical fragmentation suggest that peace-building efforts must be strengthened.
As the Global Peace Index continues to serve as a global barometer of conflict and harmony, its findings are not just statistics—they are calls to action for policymakers, civil society, and international institutions.
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