Web Desk: The Institute for Economics and Peace has released the 2026 Global Peace Index, unveiling the world’s safest and most peaceful countries.

According to the latest report, while global conflicts and instability continue to rise across many regions, several countries still stand out as safe and peaceful destinations for both citizens and travelers.

As per Forbes’ report, Iceland has once again secured the top position as the world’s most peaceful country. It has consistently held this ranking for the past 19 years. One of the key reasons for its high ranking is the absence of a standing military and an extremely low crime rate.

New Zealand ranks second, maintaining strong peace and stability in the region. Switzerland stands at third place, followed by Slovenia in fourth and Ireland in fifth position.

Austria ranks sixth, Portugal seventh, Singapore eighth, Finland ninth, while Japan has moved up three positions to secure tenth place. Japan also recorded a 25% improvement in internal peace conditions.

The report highlights that the main factors behind these countries’ safety include low levels of violent crime, political stability, efficient governance, and strong diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.

Experts note that such peaceful environments are not created overnight but take decades of consistent effort, which is why major changes in rankings are rare year after year.

According to the report, the economic impact of violence in peaceful countries accounts for only 2.2% of their GDP, while in less peaceful nations it exceeds 23%.

The report also expressed concern over the overall global situation. Report author Steve Killelea stated that the world appears increasingly divided into two groups: a small number of peaceful countries and a growing number of nations experiencing rising instability.

Over the past 12 years, global peace conditions have deteriorated significantly. Since 2010, internal conflicts within countries have increased by more than 175%, while the number of countries involved in external conflicts has risen from 59 in 2008 to 103 today.

Recent conflicts in the Middle East have further impacted global travel and stability. Meanwhile, the United States dropped four places this year to rank 134th. The report noted a 38.5% decline in political stability in the U.S., with political violence reaching its highest level since the 1970s.

Experts clarified that the index measures overall peace, military involvement, and internal stability of countries, and is not a travel guide. Therefore, even highly ranked countries may still have risks such as road accidents, natural disasters, or minor theft in tourist areas. Travelers are advised to always follow official travel advisories