Wednesday, 17, June 2026 {HMC} There have been wars in the world since the end of World War II. So what are the factors that make some countries more peaceful?
The world has become less peaceful than it was last year, according to the latest Global Peace Index report. The overall level of peace has fallen in 99 countries, marking the 12th year in a row that global peace has declined. However, while the picture is worsening, a small group of countries still stand out from the rest of the world.
“Despite this catastrophic decline, it has had little impact on the countries at the top of the list,” said Steve Killia, founder and executive director of the Institute for Economics and Peace, which was created in 2007.
The index ranks 163 countries based on 23 criteria, ranging from countries’ military spending and ongoing conflicts to the level of homicides and public perception of safety. The best-performing countries typically offer a combination of low violence, effective institutions, high social trust, good relations with neighbors, and a high quality of life.
We spoke to residents of the world’s five safest countries to find out how this safety translates into daily life, the factors that help keep it going, and how travelers can find some peace and quiet.
Top 10 Peaceful Countries
1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Switzerland
4. Slovenia
5. Ireland
6. Austria
7. Portugal
8. Singapore
9. Finland
10. Japan
1.Iceland
Iceland has held the top spot since 2008, and remains the safest country in the world for the 19th consecutive year.
The country improved by two percent in 2026, thanks to a significant decline in violent protests, and continues to rank highly in terms of safety, low levels of conflict, and limited military presence.
“You can feel the peace of Iceland everywhere,” says Udni Arnarsdottir, president of Visit Iceland. “It’s a conscious choice, based on the people’s close-knit social structure.”
2. New Zealand
New Zealand, which came in third in 2025, is now in second place this year, the safest country in the Asia-Pacific region, and has the lowest score for ongoing conflict in the region. Much of this improvement is due to a decline in arms imports, and the country remains one of the safest and least militarized in the world.
Warwick Woodley, a New Zealand citizen and founder of the campaign group Against Golden Visa, says much of this stability is down to the country’s geography.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland, which came in fifth last year, is in third place in 2026, remaining one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a long history of military neutrality.
“People here seem to have a sense of social resilience,” says Geneva-based author Cornelia Chou. “That creates a sense of trust. The confidence that people are generally doing the right thing and that everyday life is going as it should.”
4. Slovenia
Slovenia makes the top five for the first time on this list, and its strong performance is based on its low military spending and high levels of safety and security.
“Slovenians value community and spend a lot of time in nature, which I believe creates a sense of peace and inner stability,” said Jernija Zur, who lives in Ljubljana and is the director of Eastern Europe operations for Intrepid Travel.
5. Ireland
Ireland, which ranks fifth, scores highly because of its low levels of violence and limited involvement in international conflicts.
For a country that has experienced significant turmoil, this sense of security is no coincidence. “Ireland’s historical experience as a nation has made its people deeply aware of the dangers of hatred and the importance of generosity and welcoming others,” said Didi Ronan, founder of the Native Hotel in West Cork.
Didi Ronan traces this tradition of hospitality to the country’s Barhún laws, which have been practiced in Ireland for many centuries, which are about providing food and shelter to strangers and travellers. “It’s in our DNA,” he said.
SOURCE BBC
