The Safest Countries in the World: Where Is the World Most Peaceful in 2026?

The safest countries in the world are generally characterized by low levels of violence, political stability, strong social security, and a reduced risk of armed conflict. But measuring safety is more complicated than simply looking at crime statistics.

One of the world's most widely recognized measures is the Global Peace Index (GPI), produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace. The index evaluates 163 countries and territories using 23 indicators covering societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarisation.

According to the 2026 Global Peace Index, Iceland remains the world's most peaceful country for the 19th consecutive year. New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Ireland complete the top five.

1. Iceland

Iceland ranks as the most peaceful country in the world in 2026.

The country has maintained the number-one position in the Global Peace Index for an extraordinary 19 consecutive years. Iceland benefits from very low levels of violent crime, strong social cohesion and the absence of a standing military.

Its combination of political stability, public safety and peaceful relations makes Iceland a consistent global leader in peacefulness.

2. New Zealand

New Zealand ranks second in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

The country is known for political stability, relatively low levels of violence and strong social institutions. Its geographic isolation also gives it a distinctive strategic position.

New Zealand's combination of peaceful society and stable governance makes it one of the world's most attractive destinations for people seeking a secure environment.

3. Switzerland

Switzerland is another country that consistently performs extremely well in global peace rankings.

Its political stability, strong institutions and long-standing tradition of neutrality contribute to its reputation as one of the world's safest and most peaceful countries.

Switzerland ranks third in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

4. Slovenia

Slovenia ranks fourth globally in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

The Central European country combines political stability, relatively low levels of violence and a high standard of living. Its location between the Alps and the Adriatic also makes it a popular destination for international travelers.

5. Ireland

Ireland takes fifth place in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

Ireland has remained among the world's most peaceful countries because of its relatively low levels of violent conflict and strong social stability.

Its position also demonstrates that a country's overall safety involves much more than crime alone.

6. Austria

Austria ranks sixth among the world's most peaceful countries in 2026.

The country is known for political stability, developed infrastructure and a high standard of living. Vienna, its capital, is also internationally recognized for its quality of life.

Austria has consistently appeared near the top of global peace rankings.

7. Portugal

Portugal ranks seventh in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

The country is widely regarded as a peaceful European destination, with relatively low levels of violent crime and strong social stability.

Portugal's combination of safety, climate and quality of life has also contributed to its popularity among international visitors and residents.

8. Singapore

Singapore ranks eighth in the 2026 Global Peace Index, but it performs particularly strongly when safety is measured through people's perceptions of law and order.

According to Gallup's latest Global Safety Report, Singapore recorded a Law and Order Index score of 95 out of 100, the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore is widely known for strict law enforcement, highly developed infrastructure and strong public institutions.

9. Finland

Finland is ninth in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

The Nordic country combines strong institutions, social trust and a high standard of living. Finland's position among the world's most peaceful countries reflects its broader social and political stability.

10. Japan

Japan completes the top 10 in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

The country is known for highly developed infrastructure, strong public institutions and relatively low levels of violent crime.

Japan's position is particularly notable because it is one of the few Asian countries consistently appearing near the top of global peace rankings.

What Makes a Country Safe?

Being considered one of the world's safest countries depends on several factors.

The Global Peace Index uses 23 indicators across three major areas:

• Societal Safety and Security

• Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict

• Militarisation

These indicators allow researchers to look beyond crime and examine the broader conditions that influence peace and stability.

This is important because a country can have relatively low crime but still face political instability or international conflict.

Is “Safest” the Same as “Most Peaceful”?

Not necessarily.

This is one of the most important points when interpreting international safety rankings.

The Global Peace Index measures peacefulness, while surveys such as Gallup's Global Safety Report measure people's perceptions of personal safety and law and order.

For example, Gallup's 2025 research found that 73% of adults worldwide said they felt safe walking alone at night in their local area. Singapore recorded a Law and Order Index score of 95, placing it among the strongest performers globally on this measure.

Therefore, the country that ranks first for overall peacefulness does not necessarily have to rank first on every measure of personal safety.

Which Countries Stand Out for Personal Safety?

When the question is specifically about whether people feel safe walking alone at night, the picture changes.

Gallup's Global Safety Report measures people's experiences and perceptions of security through questions involving personal safety, confidence in police and experiences with crime. Its 2025 research covered more than 145,000 adults in 144 countries and territories.

Singapore stands out particularly strongly, while several countries in Europe and the Middle East also record high levels of perceived personal safety. Gallup reported that Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were among the countries where at least 90% of adults said they felt safe walking alone at night.

Why Iceland Continues to Lead

Iceland's position is especially remarkable because it has remained at the top of the Global Peace Index since 2008.

Its continued success is linked to several factors, including very low levels of crime and violence, social cohesion and the country's unusual military structure.

Rather than relying on a large standing military, Iceland has historically depended on international security arrangements and other institutions for its defense.

The Safest Countries at a Glance

Ranking based on the 2026 Global Peace Index.

Why Safety Matters for Travelers

Safety is one of the most important factors people consider when choosing where to live, work or travel.

However, international rankings should always be interpreted carefully. Safety can vary between cities and regions within the same country, and conditions can change over time.

For travelers, factors such as local crime, natural disasters, healthcare, transportation, political demonstrations and weather conditions can also matter.

The Bottom Line

The safest and most peaceful countries in the world tend to share several characteristics: stable institutions, low levels of violence, social trust and limited involvement in armed conflict.

In 2026, Iceland remains the world's most peaceful country, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland. Meanwhile, Singapore stands out particularly strongly when personal safety and law-and-order perceptions are considered.

The findings show that safety is not determined by one number. A truly safe country is one where people can live with relatively low levels of violence, trust institutions, feel secure in their communities and enjoy a stable social environment.