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Iceland Leads 2026 Global Peace Index, NZ, Switzerland Follow

6/12/2026

Summary

Iceland Tops Peace Index

Iceland topped the 2026 Global Peace Index released on 2026-06-11 by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
New Zealand and Switzerland placed second and third, with Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland and Japan completing the top ten.
The index ranks 163 states and territories, covering 99.7 percent of the global population.
It assesses 23 indicators in three categories—conflict, safety and security, and militarisation—as part of the 20th edition.

Summary

Violence Costs

Violence costs 2.2% of GDP in the most peaceful nations versus 23.4% in the least peaceful.
Namibia, Madagascar, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia and Morocco were the most peaceful African countries.
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia ranked in upper tier for Central Asia in the 2026 index.
85% of Americans believe motivated violence is increasing, a factor behind the United States slipping to 134th place.

Summary

Peace Landscape Shifts

Intrastate conflicts rose 175% since 2010; external wars involve 103 countries, up from 59 by 2026.
The UK added 12 nations to its Red Travel List from 2019 to 2025.
The Global Peace Index is not an advisory and omits road safety, natural hazards, crime.
Iceland offers tourists over 120 geothermal pools and more than 220 museums.
New Zealand’s Golden Visa founder ties safety to fewer weapons imports and stricter gun laws.

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Iceland Tops Peace Index

Iceland topped the 2026 Global Peace Index released on 2026-06-11 by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
New Zealand and Switzerland placed second and third, with Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland and Japan completing the top ten.
The index ranks 163 states and territories, covering 99.7 percent of the global population.
It assesses 23 indicators in three categories—conflict, safety and security, and militarisation—as part of the 20th edition.

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