Mapped: 20 Safest Countries in the World in 2025

The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) paints a sobering picture: global peacefulness has hit its lowest level since the index began in 2008, with 59 active state-based conflicts worldwide — the most since World War II. Yet amid this turbulence, a handful of nations continue to stand out as remarkably safe and peaceful places to live and visit.

In this data-driven guide, we rank the 20 safest countries in the world in 2025 using the latest GPI scores. Iceland holds the top spot for the 18th consecutive year, while European nations dominate the list — claiming 14 of the 20 positions. Notably, New Zealand climbed two spots to #3, and Japan surged three places to #12, while Canada fell five ranks to #15.

Map: 20 Safest Countries in the World

Explore the map below to see where the world’s safest countries are located. Darker green = more peaceful.

Interactive Version

Explore the interactive version of this map below. Click on any country for details.

Key Findings

• 🇮🇸 Iceland remains #1 for the 18th straight year, with the world’s best GPI score of 1.095
• 14 of the top 20 countries are in Europe, making it the most peaceful region on Earth
• 🇸🇬 Singapore (#6) is the highest-ranked Asian country and the only city-state in the top 10
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand (#3) climbed 2 spots, recording a 3.1% improvement in peacefulness
• 🇨🇦 Canada (#15) dropped 5 positions — the largest decline among top-20 nations
• The global economic impact of violence reached $19.97 trillion in 2024 — 11.6% of global GDP

The 20 Safest Countries in the World (2025 GPI Rankings)

1. 🇮🇸 Iceland — GPI Score: 1.095

Iceland has been the world’s most peaceful country every single year since the GPI was first published in 2008. With no standing army, record-low crime rates (police officers generally don’t carry firearms), and a population of just 400,000, this volcanic island nation sets the global standard for peace. Its score of 1.095 is far ahead of second-place Ireland at 1.260.

2. 🇮🇪 Ireland — GPI Score: 1.260

Ireland holds steady at #2, a position it has occupied since 2023. As a non-NATO member with an independent defense policy, Ireland’s economic cost of violence is just 2.86% of GDP — compared to the global average of 13.5%. Centuries of conflict with the UK are now firmly in the past, and the country consistently ranks among the world’s happiest and wealthiest nations.

3. 🇳🇿 New Zealand — GPI Score: 1.282 ↑2

New Zealand climbed two spots this year, recording a 3.1% improvement in peacefulness. Scoring near-perfect marks in societal safety and low conflict, this South Pacific nation of 5.2 million is the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region. Only its militarization indicators — weapons imports and defense spending — prevent it from reaching the very top.

4. 🇦🇹 Austria — GPI Score: 1.294 ↓1

Austria slipped one spot but remains firmly in the top 5. A neutral, non-NATO EU member, Austria has high marks for income, jobs, and housing. However, growing social tensions around immigration and a 2020 terror attack in Vienna led to expanded surveillance measures. In June 2025, a school shooting in Graz also rattled the nation.

5. 🇨🇭 Switzerland — GPI Score: 1.294 ↓1

Switzerland ties Austria at 1.294 but sits at #5 due to rounding. Famous for its political neutrality, the Swiss Confederation boasts exceptional safety and stability. Its high militarization score (150,000–200,000 active and reserve personnel for a population of 8.9 million) and status as a top weapons exporter per capita are the only factors keeping it from higher placement.

6. 🇸🇬 Singapore — GPI Score: 1.357

Singapore has made one of the most remarkable climbs in GPI history — from #22 in 2008 to the top 10 since 2019. The city-state scores excellently in societal safety and low conflict, though its strategic military spending (protecting vital trade routes through the Strait of Malacca) affects its militarization score.

7. 🇵🇹 Portugal — GPI Score: 1.371 ↑1

Portugal continues its steady climb up the GPI — from #18 in 2014 to #7 today. It ranks above average among industrialized nations in housing, work-life balance, personal security, and environmental quality. It’s also one of Europe’s most affordable destinations, making it a top choice for expats.

8. 🇩🇰 Denmark — GPI Score: 1.393 ↓1

Denmark dropped from #7 to #8, though its score barely changed. The kingdom remains one of the happiest and safest nations in the world. Its biggest GPI drag is the militarization domain — Denmark’s defense spending surged dramatically in response to the Russia-Ukraine war, dropping it from 24th to 59th place in this sub-index alone.

9. 🇸🇮 Slovenia — GPI Score: 1.409

Slovenia holds steady at #9 — the only Central and Eastern European country in the top 10. With just 2.1 million people and half its territory covered by forests, this small nation boasts remarkable biodiversity, from the Adriatic coast to the Julian Alps, all within an hour’s drive from the peaceful capital, Ljubljana.

10. 🇫🇮 Finland — GPI Score: 1.420 ↑1

Finland returns to the top 10 after a few years of decline. While its defense spending soared 36% following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (they share a 1,340 km border), Finland’s low crime rates, high institutional trust, and world-class welfare system keep it firmly among the safest nations. It’s also the perennial #1 in the UN World Happiness Report.

11. 🇨🇿 Czechia — GPI Score: 1.435 ↑2

Czechia (Czech Republic) climbed two spots to #11, cementing its place just outside the top 10. Prague, its capital, is one of Europe’s safest large cities, and the country enjoys strong political stability and low crime rates.

12. 🇯🇵 Japan — GPI Score: 1.440 ↑3

Japan surged three positions to #12 — the highest-ranked large-population country on the entire list. With a population of 125 million, Japan’s combination of ultra-low crime rates, cultural emphasis on social harmony, and advanced infrastructure makes it a remarkable outlier. Its ongoing military buildup in response to regional tensions is the main factor tempering its score.

13. 🇲🇾 Malaysia — GPI Score: 1.469 ↓1

Malaysia dipped one spot to #13 but remains the second-highest ranked Asian nation. The Southeast Asian country combines economic growth with democratic institutions and relatively low crime, offering an important model of peace-building in a region marked by diversity.

14. 🇳🇱 Netherlands — GPI Score: 1.491

The Netherlands holds steady at #14, tied with Canada in score (1.491). Known for its progressive social policies, excellent infrastructure, and high quality of life, the Netherlands remains one of Europe’s most stable and peaceful nations.

15. 🇨🇦 Canada — GPI Score: 1.491 ↓5

Canada recorded the biggest drop among top-20 nations, falling five spots from #10 to #15. The decline was driven by a 5.85% deterioration in peacefulness scores, primarily in the ongoing conflict domain. Despite this, Canada remains one of the safest countries on Earth with an excellent quality of life.

16. 🇧🇪 Belgium — GPI Score: 1.492 ↑4

Belgium made a notable jump of four positions to #16, one of the biggest improvements among the top 20. Its score improvement reflects enhanced societal safety indicators despite ongoing concerns about defense spending across Europe.

17. 🇭🇺 Hungary — GPI Score: 1.500 ↓1

Hungary slipped one spot to #17 but continues to outperform expectations with a GPI score of exactly 1.500. While its political dynamics generate international headlines, the country’s actual safety metrics — low crime rates and minimal conflict involvement — keep it firmly in the top 20.

18. 🇦🇺 Australia — GPI Score: 1.505 ↑1

Australia edged up one position to #18. As the only Southern Hemisphere country in the top 20 besides New Zealand, Australia combines geographic isolation with strong democratic institutions. Its vast distances and low population density contribute to its overall sense of safety.

19. 🇭🇷 Croatia — GPI Score: 1.519 ↓1

Croatia dropped one spot to #19. The young EU member state has made extraordinary progress since the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, transforming from a conflict zone into one of the world’s most peaceful nations within a single generation.

20. 🇩🇪 Germany — GPI Score: 1.533 ↓3

Germany dropped three places to #20, primarily due to increased militarization in response to the Ukraine conflict. As Europe’s largest economy, Germany’s decision to dramatically boost defense spending has impacted its GPI ranking even as its domestic safety metrics remain strong.

Complete Rankings Table

Rank	Country	GPI Score	Change
1	🇮🇸 Iceland	1.095	—
2	🇮🇪 Ireland	1.260	—
3	🇳🇿 New Zealand	1.282	↑ 2
4	🇦🇹 Austria	1.294	↓ 1
5	🇨🇭 Switzerland	1.294	↓ 1
6	🇸🇬 Singapore	1.357	—
7	🇵🇹 Portugal	1.371	↑ 1
8	🇩🇰 Denmark	1.393	↓ 1
9	🇸🇮 Slovenia	1.409	—
10	🇫🇮 Finland	1.420	↑ 1
11	🇨🇿 Czechia	1.435	↑ 2
12	🇯🇵 Japan	1.440	↑ 3
13	🇲🇾 Malaysia	1.469	↓ 1
14	🇳🇱 Netherlands	1.491	—
15	🇨🇦 Canada	1.491	↓ 5
16	🇧🇪 Belgium	1.492	↑ 4
17	🇭🇺 Hungary	1.500	↓ 1
18	🇦🇺 Australia	1.505	↑ 1
19	🇭🇷 Croatia	1.519	↓ 1
20	🇩🇪 Germany	1.533	↓ 3

About the Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is produced annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) and is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness. It ranks 163 independent states and territories — covering 99.7% of the world’s population — using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains:

• Societal Safety & Security — crime rates, political stability, terrorism impact
• Ongoing Domestic & International Conflict — conflict deaths, refugees, relations with neighbors
• Militarization — military spending, armed forces personnel, weapons exports/imports

A lower GPI score indicates greater peacefulness. The scale runs from 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful). Scores are calculated using data from the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, the UN, and other respected sources.