The World’s Most Peaceful Countries in 2026 — and Why Israel Is Near the Bottom

Global stability and calm continue to show a moderate decline for the 12th straight year. That troubling finding comes from the 2026 Global Peace Index, considered the most comprehensive tool for evaluating safety and stability around the world. The report, which ranks 163 different countries and territories, analyzes a wide range of factors, including citizens’ personal security, the scope of internal and external conflict, levels of militarization and military investment, crime rates, terrorism, and political stability.

Alongside its broad, country-level analysis, the index’s editors emphasize an important point for travel lovers. The ranking measures a country’s overall level of peace and quiet, but it does not provide a precise reflection of a tourist’s day-to-day experience on the street. The index does not account for specific risks such as pickpocketing in tourist hubs, traffic accidents, or particular trouble spots within major cities.

At the Top: Iceland Keeps the Crown

A look at the top of the list proves that some things do not change easily. Iceland continues to lead the rankings proudly, holding its position as the most peaceful country on the planet for the 19th consecutive year. This small country operates without a standing army, enjoys extremely low crime rates, and shows exceptional levels of social trust among its citizens.

ארצות הברית ממשיכה במגמת הירידה שלה

New Zealand comes in second, rising one spot from last year. Stable Switzerland follows in third. Slovenia stands out as the biggest surprise in the top five. The green, popular country, which recently renewed its relations with Israel following a change in government there, climbed two places to fourth. Ireland rounds out the top five in fifth place.

The rest of the top 10 includes Austria in sixth, Portugal in seventh, Singapore in eighth, Finland in ninth, and Japan closing out the 10 most peaceful countries in the world.

The Next 10: Ever Heard of Bhutan?

For travelers looking to go beyond the usual choices and discover surprising, low-stress destinations, the second 10 on the list is especially interesting. Denmark ranks 11th, followed immediately by Malaysia (12), the Czech Republic (13), and Canada (14). Hungary comes in 15th, followed by Bhutan (16), the Netherlands (17), and Mauritius (18). Latvia at 19 and Australia at 20 complete the list of the world’s 20 most peaceful countries.

More broadly, Europe — especially Central and Western Europe — continues to strengthen its standing as the most peaceful region on the planet, with a dominant presence near the top of the rankings, including Iceland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Finland, and Denmark.

The Biggest Surprise

The most dramatic improvement this year belongs to Poland, which made a meteoric leap of 23 places to rank 22nd in the world.

By contrast, the United States continues its downward trend and ranks just 134th this year — a striking figure for a country many still see as a major Western and highly popular travel destination. According to the report, America’s drop is driven mainly by rising political instability and violent protests across the country.

רוסיה סוגרת את הרשימה

At the Bottom: Russia, Ukraine, and Israel

At the lower end of the index are the world’s most turbulent and dangerous places. Russia sits at the very bottom in 163rd and last place. Just above it are Sudan in 162nd, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 161st, and Ukraine in 160th.

Israel ranks in the troubling 159th spot. In the shadow of a complex security reality and an ongoing war, Israel is positioned this year deep within the five least peaceful countries in the world. Notably, countries such as South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria — all traditionally associated with severe conflict — are ranked above Israel in the lower portion of the table.

So, Should You Travel or Not?

Even though the index is an excellent tool for understanding a country’s overall stability, the report’s experts stress that it is not a substitute for checking conditions closely before a trip. A country may receive a very high ranking and still have problematic areas, pickpocket gangs in tourist centers, or seasonal weather hazards. On the other hand, even countries ranked relatively low may still have areas that are completely safe and peaceful to visit.

ישראל במקום ה-159 המדאיג

The annual report is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace and covers nearly the entire world population. It is based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators divided into three broad categories: personal and societal safety, ongoing conflict (internal and external), and levels of militarization and military spending.

Beyond the raw rankings, the report also offers an in-depth analysis of global trends, the economic costs of violence, the spillover of regional conflicts, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on modern battlefields and on peace efforts.