Iceland Ranks Most Peaceful Nation for 19th Consecutive Year in 2026 Global Peace Index
Iceland has been named the most peaceful country globally for the 19th consecutive year, according to the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI) released in June. The United States, in contrast, ranked 134th, placing behind nations such as Venezuela, Lebanon, and India. The GPI assesses countries across three primary domains: ongoing conflicts, societal safety and security, and militarization, providing insights into global peace trends amid international and domestic tensions.
Iceland has maintained its position as the world's most peaceful country for the 19th consecutive year, topping the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI). The index, which was released in June, evaluates nations based on their performance across three key domains: ongoing conflicts, societal safety and security, and militarization.
The ongoing conflicts domain considers internal and external conflicts, as well as the duration and role of a country's involvement. Societal safety and security are assessed through factors like homicide rates, political terror, violent demonstrations, and public perceptions of criminality. Lastly, militarization is determined by a country's military spending as a percentage of its GDP, access to weapons, and other related factors.
Amid global and domestic tensions, some Americans are reportedly considering moving abroad. A Gallup poll from October 2024 indicated that 21% of polled Americans expressed a desire to relocate internationally, an increase from 17% in 2023 and 10% in 2011. Factors cited for this interest include crime rates, modern conflicts, work-life balance, cost of living, and parenting values. Despite this, the United States was also identified by Gallup as the most desired destination for citizens of other countries.
The U.S. ranked 134th overall in the 2026 GPI, falling behind several other nations. Among the top 20 most peaceful countries were Australia (20th), Latvia (19th), Mauritius (18th), Netherlands (17th), Bhutan (16th), and Hungary (15th).
Mauritius was recognized as the most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa, having improved across all three GPI domains and moving up 11 spots from the previous year's ranking. Bhutan was identified as the most peaceful nation in South Asia. The Netherlands recorded the lowest militarization rank among the top 20 countries, despite having the 17th largest defense budget globally at $29.12 billion.
According to Business Insider, the comprehensive ranking provides a snapshot of global peace, influencing decisions for those considering international travel or relocation.
