Full Breakdown
Global Peace Index 2026: Rankings, Decline, and Implications
6/12/2026, 3:17:41 AM
2026 Rankings
Iceland stays #1 for the 19th year, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland and Japan. The United States dropped to #134, its lowest ever, while Canada ranks #14, Mexico #139 and Haiti #142.
Background & Context
2026 marks the 12th year of global peace decline; 99 countries fell in score, the most since 2007. State-based conflicts rose to 61, the highest since WWII. The index rates 163 states on 23 safety, conflict and militarisation indicators.
Data & Statistics
The index covers 99.7 % of the world’s population. The ten most peaceful nations lose 2.2 % of GDP to violence, versus 23.4 % for the ten least peaceful. The U.S. score fell four points, driven by a 38.5 % drop in political-instability. Mexico’s safest states are Yucatán, Chiapas, Tlaxcala, Durango and Campeche; its least peaceful are Colima, Sinaloa and Guanajuato.
Why It Matters
Low homicide rates and minimal police presence in the top ten support tourism and investment, while higher violence costs strain economies and deter visitors.
Official Statements & Responses
IEP founder Steve Killelea said the index “shows two worlds moving apart,” noting the top ten have worsened only 0.3 % since 2008 while the bottom ten fell nearly 19 %. He added the GPI “is best read as a guide to the underlying conditions of a society rather than a guarantee of personal safety.” The institute also said many micro-states without armed forces are omitted.
Criticism & Limitations
Analysts warn the GPI is not a travel advisory; it omits micro-states such as Monaco, Liechtenstein and Vatican City and does not assess road safety, natural hazards or petty crime in tourist zones.
On-the-Ground Perspectives
Residents of Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland describe daily life as safe, community-focused and low-stress, citing strong social cohesion, low crime and trust in institutions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The benefits show up clearly in the data. In the ten most peaceful countries, the economic toll of violence averages a mere 2.2 percent of GDP, while it climbs to 23.4 percent in the ten least peaceful nations,” — Steve Killelea, Founder & Executive Chairman, IEP
- “The picture that emerges from this year's Index is of two worlds moving apart.” — Steve Killelea, IEP
- “Peace appears in every corner in Iceland, both in the surrounding nature and as a conscious choice present in our close-knit communities,” — Oddný Arnarsdóttir, Director, Visit Iceland
- “Most people don’t think about it much, which is probably the best sign that overall it’s not a concern,” — Warwick Woodley, Founder, NZ Golden Visa
What’s Next
The IEP will publish the 2027 Global Peace Index in June 2027, tracking whether the decline persists and how new conflicts, such as the war in Iran, affect future rankings.
