People everywhere want peace to live safely, calmly, and with hope for the future. But with wars, economic problems, and political fights happening all over, peace often feels far away.
Global Peace Is Getting Worse
The Global Peace Index (GPI), which looks at peace in countries using 23 indicators, shows that the world is becoming less peaceful. Right now, there are 56 active wars with the most since World War II.
Wars Are Spreading Across Borders
Wars are no longer limited to one country. Today, 92 countries are involved in conflicts outside their own borders. This makes it harder to end fights and increases the suffering of many people.
Militarization Is Rising Again
For 16 years, the use of military force had been going down. But in 2024, that changed. Now, 108 countries are building up their military strength. This means there’s a greater chance of a large-scale war than ever before in recent times.
Peace Levels Dropped Again in 2024
Global peace dropped by 0.56% this year. This is the 12th time in 16 years that the world has seen less peace. In total, 97 countries became less peaceful, while only 65 improved.
The Gap Between Peaceful and Unstable Countries Is Growing
The 25 most peaceful countries have slightly improved since 2008, but the 25 least peaceful countries have gotten much worse. The difference between them is now bigger than ever.
Iceland Still Leads as the Most Peaceful Nation
Even with all these problems, some countries are doing well. Iceland is still the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008.
Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries in the World
Here are the top 10 most peaceful countries, according to Business Insider Africa:
| Rank | Country | Peace Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1.11 |
| 2 | Ireland | 1.30 |
| 3 | Austria | 1.31 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1.32 |
| 5 | Singapore | 1.34 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 1.35 |
| 7 | Portugal | 1.37 |
| 8 | Denmark | 1.38 |
| 9 | Slovenia | 1.40 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 1.43 |