Most Peaceful Countries

A nation's level of peacefulness is often a barometer of its societal health. It is directly influenced by aspects of safety, stability, access to justice, and the extent of domestic and international conflict. The Global Peace Index (GPI), developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace, is an annually released data-driven measure that provides comprehensive insights into these factors on a worldwide scale, producing a ranked list of the world's most peaceful countries.

Based on the latest GPI data, it becomes evident that while conflict, turmoil, and insecurity persist in many corners of the globe, several countries stand out as bastions of peace. They constitute living testaments to the fundamental human aspiration for a tranquil, secure, and prosperous existence.

Key findings from the data include:

• Iceland, with a score of 1.11 on the GPI, remains the world's most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008. 
• New Zealand and Ireland follow close behind, underscoring their ongoing commitment to maintaining harmonious societies.
• Despite being a developed nation with a robust economy, the United States scores 2.44 on the GPI, indicating room for potential improvement in areas contributing to domestic peace.
• The GPI results highlight that Central and Northern European countries continue to outperform other regions, with Denmark, Austria, and Portugal all scoring under 1.30 on the index.
• At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list, mirroring the country's ongoing political instability and conflict.

The "Global Peace Index" section of the GPI report measures and ranks the peacefulness of 163 independent states and territories, which collectively account for almost the entire world's population. Using this index, we have identified the top 10 most peaceful nations in the world. 

Topping the list is the picturesque island nation of Iceland, holding a score of 1.107, maintaining its reign as the world's most peaceful country since 2008. Its geographical isolation combined with strong societal cohesion has helped it maintain its top ranking.

Next up is New Zealand, which, with its serene landscapes and harmonious multicultural society, scores a 1.269 on the GPI.  Denmark, another high-ranking European nation, comes in at fourth place with its score of 1.296, demonstrating Northern Europe's general trend of peace and stability. Austria and Portugal, both known for their peaceful and relaxed lifestyles, follow close behind with scores of 1.3 and 1.301 respectively.

Slovenia, a small yet progressive country nestled in Central Europe, has made strides in peacekeeping, earning a score of 1.316. The Czech Republic, not far off, lands eighth place with a GPI of 1.318.

Singapore, often singled out for its orderliness and strict rule of law, ranks ninth with a GPI of 1.326. Lastly, Japan, known for its unique blend of modernity and tradition, completes the top 10 with a score of 1.336.

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Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries:

1. Iceland - 1.107
2. New Zealand - 1.269
3. Ireland - 1.288
4. Denmark - 1.296
5. Austria - 1.3
6. Portugal - 1.301
7. Slovenia - 1.316
8. Czech Republic - 1.318
9. Singapore - 1.326
10. Japan - 1.336

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.

Year: 2022

Source: - Institute for Economics and Peace

Report: Report PDF Link