Latest news with #GlobalPeaceIndex
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
'Most Peaceful Country' Report Lists Ukraine, Russia Last: See Who Is First
Based on factual reporting, incorporates the expertise of the journalist and may offer interpretations and conclusions. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The new Global Peace Index (GPI) report ranked countries based on their "level of peacefulness," placing Russia as the least-peaceful country and Iceland as the "most peaceful country" in the world. The 19th edition of the report from the Australia-based Institute of Economics & Peace (IEP) looked at 163 independent states and territories using 23 indicators to measure the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and the degree of militarization. Of the 163 countries ranked, 74 improved their placement while 87 slid from last year's ranking. The GPI found an average deterioration of peacefulness of about .36 percent, marking the sixth year in a row that overall peacefulness declined. Why It Matters The world has seen increased instability in the international security landscape, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East adding to global tensions. President Donald Trump hit on this issue during last year's presidential campaign and promised that upon taking office he would tackle the major conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. In the past months, Trump has pursued a number of peace deals, including one signed this month between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, ending the fight between Congo government forces and rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda. The GPI report noted that there are currently 59 active state-based conflicts, "the most since the end of WWII and three more than the prior year." What To Know The 2025 GPI found that "global peacefulness continues to decline and that many of the leading factors that precede major conflicts are higher than they have been since the end of WWII. More countries are increasing their levels of militarization against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, increasing conflict, the breakup of traditional alliances and rising economic uncertainty." Published earlier this month, the GPI had a relatively unchanged top 10, which Iceland topped, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland. The biggest move at the top saw Canada tumbling out of the top 10 and land at tied-14th with the Netherlands, who did not move at all. The United States ranked 128th, just ahead of Ecuador, Brazil and Libya, but behind Bangladesh, South Africa, Honduras, Togo, and Kenya. Israel placed 155th, just ahead off South Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Both the U.S. and Israel ranked last for the GPI "Militarization domain," which appears to have a significant weighting, while Russia and Ukraine ranked last in the "Ongoing Conflict domain." Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan ranked last for the "Safety and Security domain." The Palestinian Territory was ranked 145, ahead of Turkey, Iraq and Nigeria and behind Colombia, Haiti, Iran, Niger and Pakistan. A woman rides a scooter past the damaged Pokrovy Presvyatoyi Bohorodytsi Church in the city of Svyatohirs'k, Donetsk region on June 26 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A woman rides a scooter past the damaged Pokrovy Presvyatoyi Bohorodytsi Church in the city of Svyatohirs'k, Donetsk region on June 26 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying The authors of the 2025 Global Peace Index wrote, in part: "The world has become less peaceful over the past 17 years, with the average country score deteriorating by 5.4 per cent since the index's inception in 2008. Of the 163 countries in the GPI, 94 recorded deteriorations, while 66 recorded improvements and one recorded no change. Seventeen of the 23 GPI indicators deteriorated between 2008 and 2023, while seven improved." Later in the same report, they wrote: "Despite the overall deterioration in peacefulness globally, some indicators recorded noticeable improvement. The perceptions of criminality and homicide rate indicators both continued their long running trend of improvement. The violent demonstrations indicator also improved, although it has deteriorated for 12 of the past 17 years." "There were substantial improvements for many Safety and Security indicators, including violent demonstrations, terrorism impact and the homicide rate. Several countries in the Central and North America region recorded significant reductions in the number of homicides, although the region still has the highest average homicide rate of any region," they wrote.
India.com
20 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
No Wars. No Noise. Just Calm: In A World On Fire, These 10 Countries Preferred Peace Over Conflict
New Delhi: War fills headlines. Protests shake capitals. Sirens echo through cities. But not everywhere. In quiet corners of the world, some nations walk a different path. Their streets are calm. Their politics steady. Their people, safe. The Global Peace Index for 2025 does more than rank countries. It holds up a mirror. It shows where peace works. Where governments deliver without drama. Where citizens live without fear. At the top of that list sits Iceland. No army. No enemies. No blood on the streets. Just trust, clean air and quiet resolve. It has been the world's most peaceful country since 2008. That streak did not happen by chance. It came from values, choices and a national will to stay out of trouble. Ireland comes next. Once torn by conflict, it is now a place of poets, coders and peace. Its shift from turmoil to trust was slow, painful but real. The scars of the past now teach lessons. The economy hums. The streets feel safe. Neutrality helps. So does remembering what chaos once cost. Then there is New Zealand. Tucked far away. Green hills. Blue oceans. Firm laws. Kind hearts. People trust the system. The system listens back. Even in tragedy, they heal together. That calm shows in their global standing. Austria and Switzerland share fourth. Landlocked. Rich. Neutral. Organised. Their borders have not moved in ages. Neither has their commitment to staying out of fights. Their strength lies in staying still. Singapore holds strong in Asia. Rules are strict. Streets are spotless. Its peace does not shout. It works in silence. Strong policies. Smart trade. No distractions. That is how the city-state survives in a region full of tension. Portugal follows. Once a coloniser. Now a quiet European success. Calm politics. Welcoming people. Even drug laws rewritten with empathy. The change is deep. And lasting. Then comes Denmark. Where taxes are high and tempers low. Where people trust each other. Where 'hygge' means more than comfort. It means choosing joy over drama. That feeling flows into policy. Slovenia steps in next. A young country. Born from war. Now a bridge between East and West. Small in size. Large in peace. A calm, post-conflict miracle that proves healing works. Finland rounds out the ten. Cold air. Warm society. Steady hands at the wheel. A long border with Russia. But no panic. Just preparation, education and determination. Sisu, they call it. A kind of quiet fire that does not flicker. Each country on this list made different choices. Different paths. But one thing in common – none chased chaos. They invested in schools. In safety. In people. Their streets do not tremble when leaders speak. Their laws protect more than just borders. And their peace, while silent, speaks volumes. These are the nations where calm is not weakness. It is strength in disguise.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore is 6th most peaceful country on the 2025 Global Peace Index
SINGAPORE: In the 19th edition of the Global Peace Index, produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Singapore was ranked the sixth most peaceful country in the world. The index, which covers 99.7% of the population around the world, evaluates the level of peacefulness of 163 independent states and territories, based on these criteria: level of societal safety and security, extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and degree of militarisation. Iceland, which has held the number one spot since 2008, topped the list yet again with a score of 1.095. Interestingly, Iceland is the only member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance without a military. Ireland, which has played an important role in global peacemaking, took second place on the index with a score of 1.260, closely followed by New Zealand, which scored 1.282. New Zealand, the only Pacific nation in the top 10, not only climbed one spot to take third place, but its peacefulness score also rose by 3.1% over the last year. Rounding out the top five are Austria and Switzerland, with both receiving a score of 1.294. While Austria fell by one spot on the index, Switzerland conversely rose by one notch. Singapore, now sixth with this year's score of 1.357, dropped one place from fifth last year. Regionally, it follows New Zealand to take second place in the Pacific, and is the only Asian country in the top ten. Notably, the city-state 'is another popular destination for American expats, including those looking for entrepreneur economies like that of Silicon Valley', as Insider recently pointed out, adding that Singapore is in the top five when it comes to societal safety and security, as well as ongoing conflicts. Countries in Europe dominate the rest of the top ten with Portugal in seventh place (1.371), followed by Denmark (1.393), Slovenia (1.409), and Finland (1.420). This should come as no surprise, given that Western and Central Europe is the most peaceful region in the world. On the other hand, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is still the least peaceful. 'This year's results found that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.36%. This is the 13th deterioration in peacefulness in the last 17 years, with 74 countries improving and 87 deteriorating in peacefulness,' the index notes. For the first time, Russia has become the least peaceful country in the world on this year's Global Peace Index. Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Israel, and Mali, respectively, took the other nine spots among the bottom 10 least peaceful countries. /TISG Read also: Singapore clinches highest rank among all Asian nations in 2023 Global Peace Index
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Escalation hotspot
Listen to article Kashmir is being ranked among the world's most critical escalation hotspots, as nuclear-armed India and Pakistan face "perilously high" tensions. The Global Peace Index, published by the highly-regarded Australian think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, noted how the four-day Indo-Pak conflict in May 2025 — the deadliest in years - exposed how quickly the Kashmir dispute could ignite a catastrophic war. The report also notes the fragility of the ceasefire - India won't even explicitly admit the circumstances around the agreement, including the role Washington played. The May 2025 clashes saw BrahMos cruise missiles, Rafale jets, J-10Cs and hundreds of drones in the skies above the Indo-Pak border and the Line of Control. Pakistan's downing of advanced Indian aircraft, including French-built Rafales, also proved that even "limited" conflicts risk rapid escalation. The embarrassment of having to ground the pride of the Indian Air Force saw the conflict spread well beyond traditional skirmish zones in Kashmir, dragging the world toward crisis. Meanwhile, the threat to cut off Pakistan's water — a war crime — shows that India's leaders are more than willing to act like a rogue state just to keep up their prime minister's strongman image and delusions of grandeur. India's spokespersons can run themselves hoarse calling Kashmir a bilateral issue, but that doesn't make it so. Remember the day India asked the UN to intervene in the first conflict over the region. Modi and his regime are clearly not students of history — not even Indian history — so they are unlikely to be familiar with the events of 1914, when a regional conflict tainted by mistrust and disinformation exploded into what is now better known as the First World War. India's far-right government has been using conflict as a political tool for the past decade. Without domestic or foreign intervention soon, one day it will end up going too far.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
New Zealand Named One of the World's Most Peaceful and Prosperous Countries, Surging Past Global Powers in 2025 Rankings
AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As global conflict and instability escalate, Greener Pastures New Zealand, a premier investment and lifestyle advisory firm specializing in New Zealand's AIP residency, is spotlighting the nation's exceptional performance in the 2025 Global Peace Index, where New Zealand ranks as the third most peaceful country in the world and the most peaceful in the Asia-Pacific region. With a 3.1% improvement in its peacefulness score year-over-year, at a time when most countries are deteriorating, New Zealand continues to attract a surge of interest from high-net-worth families and global investors seeking long-term security and prosperity. In addition to its Peace Index performance, New Zealand also stood out in the newly released 2025 Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with Auckland ranking #7 and Wellington ranking #20 among the most liveable cities in the world. The rankings reflect New Zealand's exceptional quality of life, infrastructure, education, and overall stability. Key drivers for individuals considering long-term relocation. The Global Peace Index, published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace, measures 163 countries across 23 indicators. New Zealand received near-perfect scores in societal safety, political stability, and conflict avoidance, with only modest increases in military spending and weapons imports as part of ongoing modernization efforts. 'This ranking reinforces what our clients already know; New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to build a life,' said Dominic Jones, Managing Director of Greener Pastures New Zealand. 'From its safety and stability to its clean environment, strong institutions, and welcoming communities, New Zealand delivers an unmatched blend of opportunity and peace of mind.' The report's findings come at a time when New Zealand's reputation as a peaceful and prosperous nation is driving increased demand for its Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program, which Greener Pastures New Zealand facilitates. The program offers a streamlined path to residency for eligible investors, many of whom are now choosing New Zealand in response to growing geopolitical fragmentation abroad. The Global Peace and Liveability rankings also reinforce New Zealand's broader quality-of-life advantages. The country ranks above the OECD average in education, healthcare, and environmental quality, and outperforms dozens of nations that once dominated global rankings; including the U.S. (now ranked 128th) and the U.K. (30th). 'At Greener Pastures, we're seeing a significant increase in inquiries from individuals and families who want more than just an investment. They want a future,' Jones added. 'They're looking for a place with world-class healthcare, smart governance, a deep connection to nature, and an environment where their families can thrive. That's exactly what New Zealand offers.' For more information on Greener Pastures New Zealand, please visit About Greener Pastures New Zealand Greener Pastures New Zealand is a premier investment and lifestyle advisory firm specializing in facilitating high-net-worth investor residency through New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program. As a subsidiary of Origin Capital Partners, the firm provides tailored investment products and lifestyle transition support, ensuring a smooth relocation process for high-net-worth investors. Its government-approved Diversified Fund meets AIP visa criteria, while its tailored lifestyle services ensure a smooth transition, from real estate and education to local expertise. Led by Managing Director Dominic Jones and Board Chairman Simon Botherway, Greener Pastures helps global investors build secure, sustainable futures in one of the world's most desirable destinations. Learn more at
