Key Highlights
- Global peace fell for the 13th time in 17 years, with a 0.36% decline.
- Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful nation, while Russia tops the list of least peaceful.
- India’s GPI score improved modestly, moving from 116th to 115th place.
- Economic losses from violence reached $19.97 trillion, 11.6% of global GDP.
Detailed Insights
The Global Peace Index (GPI) aggregates 23 indicators across societal safety, conflict, and militarisation to produce a composite score between 1 (most peaceful) and 5 (least peaceful). In 2025, 59 active state‑based conflicts accounted for over 152,000 deaths, the highest since World War II.
Militarisation rose in 84 countries, reflected by increased defence spending as a share of GDP. The most deteriorated indicator was external conflicts fought, while perceptions of criminality saw the greatest improvement.
Regional analysis shows Western and Central Europe still lead in peace, yet South Asia remains the most troubled region. South America is the only region that improved in 2025, driven by democratic transitions.
Key Concepts
- Global Peace Index – A quantitative benchmark that ranks countries on peace using 23 indicators.
- Militarisation – The extent of a nation’s military spending and armaments relative to its economy.
- Conflict – Ongoing domestic or international hostilities that influence a country’s peace score.
- Economic Cost of Violence – The monetary value of losses caused by war, crime, and security measures.
- Perceptions of Criminality – Public sentiment regarding the prevalence of crime, influencing social stability.