Peace is one of humanity’s deepest desires, yet in a world of war, economic hardship, and political divides, it often feels just out of reach. While people everywhere yearn for safety, stability, and the chance to build better futures, the reality is that conflict continues to shape the lives of millions.
- Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
- The list is courtesy of The Global Peace Index.
- Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a title it has held since 2008.
The Global Peace Index (GPI), which assesses peace across 23 key indicators, reveals an unsettling truth: the world is becoming less peaceful. Today, there are 56 active conflicts—the highest number since World War II.
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Wars are no longer contained within borders, 92 countries are now engaged in conflicts beyond their territories, making peace negotiations more complicated and prolonging the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.
For 16 years, militarization had been declining, offering hope for a more peaceful world. But in 2024, this progress reversed, with 108 countries increasing their militarization. The world now faces a greater risk of large-scale war than at any point since the GPI began tracking global peace.
The overall state of global peacefulness fell by 0.56% this year, marking the 12th decline in the last 16 years. A record 97 countries saw their peace levels deteriorate, while only 65 improved.
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The gap between the most and least peaceful nations is wider than ever. While the 25 most peaceful countries have seen slight improvements since 2008, the 25 least peaceful have become significantly more unstable.
Yet, there are still beacons of peace. Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a title it has held since 2008.
Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world:
| Rank | Country | Peace Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1.11 |
| 2 | Ireland | 1.30 |
| 3 | Austria | 1.31 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1.32 |
| 5 | Singapore | 1.34 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 1.35 |
| 7 | Portugal | 1.37 |
| 8 | Denmark | 1.38 |
| 9 | Slovenia | 1.40 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 1.43 |
