Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand Lead as the World’s Most Peaceful Nations in 2025

Aug 2025 : Amid a turbulent global landscape, the 2025 Global Peace Index reaffirms Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand as the world’s most peaceful countries. Their commitment to safety, community values, low militarisation, and conflict avoidance continues to set them apart. Residents describe daily lives shaped by trust, calm, and social cohesion, offering lessons for a world increasingly marked by unrest.

Peace Amid Global Conflict

As wars, political unrest, and social divisions escalate worldwide in 2025, a handful of countries remain beacons of peace and stability. According to the latest Global Peace Index, Iceland once again tops the list as the most peaceful nation on Earth, followed closely by Ireland and New Zealand. These nations demonstrate that strong social values, low militarisation, and inclusive communities can provide extraordinary security, even in times of global upheaval.

Residents of these countries consistently highlight the everyday impact of peace—from trust in neighbours to children walking safely to school—underscoring that peace is not just an abstract policy goal, but a lived experience.

Iceland: The Gold Standard of Peace

Iceland continues its remarkable run as the safest and most peaceful country in the world. Since 2008, it has held the top spot, and in 2025, it improved its overall score by 2%. The nation leads across all three peace categories: safety and security, absence of conflict, and low militarisation.

Life in Iceland exemplifies this stability. Police are unarmed, violent crime is virtually non-existent, and social trust remains exceptionally high. It is common to see babies sleeping unattended outside shops or strollers left unguarded while parents run errands—symbols of the country’s deep sense of security and community responsibility.

The Icelandic model illustrates how small populations, inclusive governance, and social cohesion can foster enduring peace. For visitors and locals alike, Iceland feels like a society where safety is the norm, not the exception.

Ireland: From Turbulence to Tranquility

Ireland’s transformation into one of the world’s most peaceful nations is striking given its complex and often violent past. Today, Ireland ranks second, excelling in safety, low militarisation, and minimal conflict. The country embraces a policy of military neutrality, making it one of only four European nations outside NATO membership. Instead, Ireland relies on diplomacy and dialogue in its approach to international affairs.

Residents describe everyday life in Ireland as warm, welcoming, and community-driven. Strangers readily help one another, the pace of life is relaxed, and locals emphasize pride in preserving their landscapes and cultural heritage. This blend of hospitality, low conflict, and social trust makes Ireland not only peaceful, but also deeply attractive to visitors and expatriates.

Ireland’s example shows how societies can move beyond turbulent histories and build futures defined by reconciliation and stability.

New Zealand: Peace Through Isolation and Policy

Ranked third, New Zealand owes much of its peace to a unique mix of geography and governance. Its isolation in the Pacific Ocean provides natural protection from external conflict, while strict domestic policies—including rigorous gun control—safeguard public safety.

Children commonly walk to school unaccompanied, doors are left unlocked, and communities thrive on trust. New Zealand’s focus on sustainability and outdoor living contributes to a sense of harmony with both people and nature.

In 2025, the country’s improvements in public safety and reduced risk from protests or terrorism cemented its place in the top three. For New Zealanders, peace is both cultural and practical, shaping a way of life that blends security with natural beauty.

Austria: Neutral and Secure

Austria, ranked fourth, has long embraced neutrality as a constitutional principle. By avoiding military alliances such as NATO, Austria has been able to channel resources toward social infrastructure and domestic stability.

This neutrality translates into daily life: Austrians enjoy safe streets, thriving public spaces, and an atmosphere of calm. It is not uncommon for people to stroll along riversides late at night or leave homes unlocked. Public trust in institutions remains high, and a strong social safety net further contributes to stability.

Austria exemplifies how neutrality, combined with effective governance, can foster a society of ease and security.

Singapore: Asia’s Peaceful Outlier

Singapore ranks sixth globally and stands out as the highest-placed Asian nation. The city-state is renowned for its exceptionally low crime rate, efficient law enforcement, and absence of internal conflict. Residents often describe the freedom of walking safely alone at night as a normal experience.

Interestingly, Singapore maintains one of the world’s highest levels of military expenditure per capita—surpassed only by North Korea and Qatar—yet balances this with strict social order and community trust. This duality makes Singapore a unique case: a heavily defended yet remarkably peaceful society.

Other Asian nations, including Japan and Malaysia, also perform strongly, ranking 12th and 13th, but Singapore remains the region’s standout example of stability.

Lessons for the World

These peaceful nations demonstrate that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of safety, trust, and community. Iceland shows the power of social cohesion, Ireland highlights the role of reconciliation, New Zealand illustrates the benefits of geography and strong policy, Austria reflects the value of neutrality, and Singapore proves that efficient governance can coexist with security.

In a world increasingly defined by conflict, these countries remind us that peace is both achievable and sustainable when societies prioritize human well-being, inclusivity, and cooperation over militarisation and division.