The Global Peace Index (GPI) is the world’s leading ranking measuring global peacefulness. It is compiled by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which assesses 163 independent countries and territories based on 23 indicators in three areas: Social Safety and Security, Current Domestic and International Conflicts, and Militarization. The 2025 index shows a continued decline in global peace, with the number of state-based conflicts at its highest level since World War II.
The world’s “most unpeaceful” countries are also in Eastern Europe. Russia ranks last (163), and Ukraine comes second to last (162). Also at the bottom of the list are Sudan (161), DR Congo (160), Yemen (159), Afghanistan (158), Syria (157), South Sudan (156), Israel (155) and Mali (154).
The United States ranks low in the index, at 128th, below Honduras, Bangladesh and Uganda. This is mainly due to its high level of militarization, which places it close to North Korea, Israel, Ukraine and Russia on this measure.
France is the most militarized country in Western and Central Europe, while South America is the only region to report an improvement in peacefulness in the latest index. The biggest improvements were in Peru and Argentina, while Canada and Costa Rica are the most peaceful nations in North and Central America.
It ranks Bulgaria as the most peaceful country in Eastern Europe, and Iceland in the world.
Although Bulgaria was named the most peaceful country in the region by the Institute for Economics and Peace, it has reported a series of protests – related to the election results and the government’s desire to introduce the euro. However, the country is ahead of Romania, which has worsened its score since last year.
The top 10 most peaceful countries look like this:
1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. New Zealand
4. Austria
5. Switzerland
6. Singapore
7. Portugal
8. Denmark
9. Slovenia
10. Finland
Bulgaria is ranked 29th. The country is ahead of the United Kingdom in terms of peacefulness, which is in 30th place. Norway and Sweden are also slightly below it.
“The key to building peace in times of conflict and uncertainty is Positive Peace: the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and maintain peaceful societies,” the Global Peace Index report states. “Positive peace is strongly associated with higher GDP growth, lower interest rates, public well-being and greater resilience to shocks.”
CNN points out that not only the beautiful nature, but also the good social indicators of Iceland have made it one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Photo: Global Peace Index 2025
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First published in this link of The European Times.
