The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 is the 19th edition, produced annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). It ranks 163 countries on their level of peacefulness.
Global Trends and Deterioration
- Overall Trend: Global peacefulness continues to decline, recording a 0.36% deterioration—the largest decline since World War II. This is the 13th deterioration in the last 17 years.
- Highest Conflict Level: The number of active state-based conflicts (59) is the highest since WWII.
- Militarisation: The Militarisation domain recorded the largest deterioration, reversing a two-decade trend.
- Economic Cost: The global economic impact of violence reached $19.97 trillion (11.6% of global GDP) in 2024.
GPI Ranking Highlights
| Ranking | Most Peaceful Countries | Least Peaceful Countries |
| 1 | Iceland (Retains top spot since 2008) | Russia (Least peaceful globally) |
| 2 | Ireland | Ukraine |
| 3 | New Zealand | Sudan |
| 4 | Austria | D.R. Congo |
| 5 | Switzerland | Yemen |
- Regional Dominance: Western and Central Europe remains the most peaceful region, hosting eight of the top ten countries.
- Least Peaceful Region: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the least peaceful for the tenth consecutive year.
- Largest Regional Decline: South Asia experienced the largest regional decline, making it the second least peaceful region globally.
🇮🇳 India’s Performance
- India’s Rank: 115th out of 163 countries (with a GPI score of 2.229).
- Progress: India improved its rank by one position from 116th in 2024, continuing a gradual upward trajectory since 2019.
- Drivers of Improvement: Better scores in the Societal Safety and Security domain, including lower perceptions of criminality and improved law enforcement.
- Regional Comparison: India is ranked higher than its South Asian neighbors: Bangladesh (#123), Pakistan (#144), and Afghanistan (#158).
GPI Methodology
The index is based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators grouped into three key domains :
- Societal Safety and Security: Measures internal factors like political stability, crime, and civil unrest.
- Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict: Measures a country’s involvement and intensity of conflict.
- Degree of Militarisation: Assesses military spending, personnel, and weapons imports.
A lower GPI score indicates a more peaceful country.