The world’s most peaceful country is Iceland. That’s according to data from 2024’s Global Peace Index, an annual chart compiled by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) think tank. Considering 23 different indicators across three domains — ongoing domestic and international conflict, militarisation, and societal safety and security — the report ranks 163 independent states and territories. Each factor is assigned a weighted score and the country with the lowest score is considered the most peaceful. While Iceland scored lowest overall, as well as in two of the three categories, Singapore had the lowest score in the safety and security category (with Iceland in second place).
What is the safest country in the world?
Reykjavik in Iceland, which came top in two of the three main categories
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In terms of safety and security within a country, Singapore is now the safest according to the Global Peace Index. It’s followed by Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Finland.
However, this ranking is different from the overall peacefulness of a country, where factors such as ongoing conflict and militarisation are also taken into consideration. Iceland tops that index for the 17th year in a row, followed by Ireland, Austria, New Zealand and Singapore.
• Best hotels in Iceland
• Best hotels in Singapore
How are the rankings compiled?
Statues at a temple in Singapore, which came top in the safety and security category
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Safety and security is one of three main indicators of peace in the Global Peace Index. The index uses data from a number of sources, including the level of perceived criminality in society, number of homicides per 100,000 people, level of violent crime and the number of people in jail. As with the overall index, the lower the score, the higher the country ranks. Singapore ranked top in this category, while Iceland came top overall.
The 10 most peaceful countries in the world
Hikers in New Zealand, which ranked fourth overall
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These countries ranked most peaceful overall:
1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. Austria
4. New Zealand
5. Singapore
6. Switzerland
7. Portugal
8. Denmark
9. Slovenia
10. Malaysia
These countries ranked best in the societal safety and security domain:
1. Singapore
2. Iceland
3. Norway
4. Switzerland
5. Finland
6. Denmark
7. Japan
8. Slovenia
9. Qatar
10. South Korea
The 10 least peaceful countries in the world
Ukraine, Russia and Israel have all featured on this list due to the well-documented ongoing wars taking place within their borders. Nevertheless, with the highest Global Peace Index score, Yemen is deemed the world’s least peaceful country courtesy of a civil conflict ongoing since 2015 and the consequent widespread issues of famine, disease, and collapsed infrastructure.
1. Yemen
2. Sudan
3. South Sudan
4. Afghanistan
5. Ukraine
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
7. Russia
8. Syria
9. Israel
10. Mali
• Is it safe to travel to the Middle East right now?
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