In a world frequently marked by conflict and instability, certain countries have stood out for maintaining peace and tranquillity within their borders and even beyond. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), global peacefulness has fallen by more than three per cent as of 2022. Factors that contribute to this instability include old and new conflicts, the pandemic and our political and cultural polarization.
Yet, peace is what a country needs to enjoy greater income growth, a stronger currency and higher foreign investment, political stability and a greater sense of happiness among its citizens.
Therefore, this article shall list the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world, according to GPI, an Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) which ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.
Top 10 most peaceful countries
1. Iceland
Iceland tops the list of the most peaceful countries in the world. A Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, the country has a population of 365,000 people, making it the smallest population of any NATO member state. Also, Iceland has no army, navy or air force, yet the country records low crime rates, an enviable education and welfare system, and ranks among the best nations in terms of jobs and cost of living.
READ ALSO: Top 10 most expensive countries to live in
In 2022, the police arrested four people in connection with preparations for a suspected terrorist attack in Reykjavík, the country’s capital and largest city, which is home to most of its population. This would be the first time Iceland recorded any terrorist activity within its borders. Little wonder why Iceland still retains the peaceful countries’ top spot, since GPI was introduced in 2008.
2. Denmark
Denmark is another Nordic country to occupy a high ranking on the list of most peaceful countries in the world. With a population of 5,935,619 million, Denmark has maintained its reputation as a safe country to travel and live in due to its high degree of political stability, freedom of the press and respect for human rights.
In addition, Denmark is one of the happiest nations in the world and also boasts a high level of income equality. The country operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with Copenhagen serving as its capital and hub of culture, economy and governance.
3. Ireland
With a population of about five million, Ireland is known for its stable democracy and respect for political and civil liberties. Therefore, the country has been ranked as one of the wealthiest, most developed and happiest nations in the world. It is also peaceful, despite having a history of violence for centuries.
Ireland has had centuries of tense relations with the United Kingdom. However, recent years have seen progress in maintaining peace, particularly because of its longstanding independent status and neutral army. This means it is not a member of NATO.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand slipped from the second spot in 2017 to fourth in 2024. With five million people, New Zealand ranks at the top in health status and above the average among OECD members when it comes to education, jobs and earnings. Hence, it is considered a peaceful place to live.
On the other hand, the country has witnessed an increase in weapons imports and exports and upgrades on armed personnel carriers. Also, there is the shortage of affordable housing is increasingly making it difficult for people with low incomes to buy homes. Hence, the gap between the rich and the poor keeps widening.
5. Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. With a population of about nine million, Austria prides itself on trying to get along with rival political blocs and embracing new forms of cooperation with its neighbour. A young member of the EU, this country also performs well in many measures of well-being such as income, jobs and housing.
However, Austria has experienced its share of unrest in recent years, particularly protests against lockdowns and the government’s decision to make the vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for all its citizens.
READ ALSO: Which are the top 10 most powerful passports in the world for 2023?
6. Singapore
Singapore is the first Asian country on the list of most peaceful countries in the world. An island country located in South-East Asia, Singapore has an estimated population of 5,917,600 million as of 2023. The city-state depends on seaborne trade for its prosperity and boasts of political stability and a robust economy. This country is so peaceful due to its societal safety and security and low levels of ongoing domestic and international conflict.
7. Portugal
Portugal is a country located in South-Western Europe. It is not only known for producing some of the greatest footballers and coaches of all time, but it has a reputation for being so peaceful. With a population of over 10 million people, Portugal is one of the most affordable destinations on the continent. In other words, you do not need to rob a bank to enjoy a great quality of life. Little wonder it has witnessed notable economic growth, especially in tourism, technology, and renewable energy.
8. Slovenia
Slovenia is located in southern Central Europe. With a population of about 2.1 million, Slovenia has been described by many as a little paradise. This country also ranks as one of the top-performing emerging European nations, alongside Hungary, Croatia, Poland and Bulgaria. Half of the country’s territories are covered by forests, making it one of the greatest levels of biodiversity on the continent.
9. Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. A unitary state and constitutional monarchy, Japan has the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, after that of the United States, China and Germany, and the fourth-largest economy by PPP. This country is also three times more densely populated than Europe and 12 times more than the U.S., yet it manages to rank very high among the most peaceful countries in the world.
Japan witnessed one of the most deadliest wars in human history. As a result, the country renounced its right to declare war or use military force in international disputes, despite maintaining the tenth-largest military budget in the world as of 2022.
10. Switzerland
Rounding up the list is Switzerland, a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. With a population of over 8 million people, the Swiss are known for their neutrality, stable democracy and active role in the United Nations. Switzerland is a stable and prosperous country where linguistic and religious diversity is embraced. All these contribute to the peace and stability the country enjoys today.
READ ALSO: Top 10 most visited cities in the world
