There are now more active conflicts than at any point since World War Two. Residents in Iceland, New Zealand and elsewhere explain the qualities that make their nations so peaceful.
The world has become less peaceful than it was last year, according to the latest Global Peace Index. Overall peacefulness deteriorated in 99 countries, marking the 12th consecutive year of global decline. Yet amid the worsening picture, a small group of nations continues to stand apart.
"Even though we had this catastrophic drop, it hasn't really affected the countries at the top," said Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the Institute for Economics & Peace, which created the index in 2007.
The index ranks 163 nations across 23 indicators, from military expenditure and ongoing conflict to homicide rates and perceptions of safety. The places that perform best typically combine low levels of violence with well-functioning institutions, high social trust, good relations with neighbours and a high quality of life.
We spoke to residents in the world's five safest countries to learn what that security feels day to day, what helps sustain it – and how travellers can experience a taste of the calm and stability too.
Iceland has topped the index since 2008 and remains the world's safest country for the 19th consecutive year. It improved by 2% in 2026, helped by a sharp drop in violent demonstrations, and continues to rank highly for safety, low levels of conflict and limited militarisation.
Top 10 countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index
1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Switzerland
4. Slovenia
5. Ireland
6. Austria
7. Portugal
8. Singapore
9. Finland
10. Japan
"Peacefulness is all around us in Iceland in the nature that surrounds us, but it is also a conscious choice rooted in our close-knit communities," said Oddný Arnarsdóttir, head of Visit Iceland. She credits a deep commitment to equality – including gender parity, where Iceland consistently ranks among the world's leaders – alongside strong public services and widespread renewable energy.
That commitment runs deeper than policy, with residents pointing to a strong sense of social cohesion and shared responsibility. "We are very aware of how fortunate we are to experience this sense of peacefulness," said Arnarsdóttir. "It reinforces the importance of maintaining an open and inclusive society."
Its remote location plays a role too. "Iceland's geographic isolation means it's less caught up in global tensions," said Eyrún Aníta Gylfadóttir, marketing manager at Hotel Rangá. "The vast open landscapes, dramatic mountains, clean air and abundant fresh water play a central role in quality of life here."
To experience Iceland's calmer pace, Arnarsdóttir recommends slowing down and spending time outdoors, rather than racing between attractions. Experiencing the country's bathing culture should be high on the list. Iceland is home to more than 120 geothermal pools, from luxury spas to neighbourhood swimming pools where locals gather year-round. "Experiencing Iceland's calm is closely linked to wellbeing," said Arnarsdóttir. "Whether through geothermal bathing culture, time spent in nature or simply having the space to disconnect."
Visitors should also make sure they venture beyond the country's best-known attractions. Arnarsdóttir points to the more than 220 museums scattered across Iceland, including the capital's National Museum and the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum in the Westfjords. "I love our quirky museums," she said. "These spaces help share local stories and traditions, while also encouraging people to travel more widely and experience different parts of Iceland."
Ranked second (up from third in 2025), New Zealand is the safest country in the Asia-Pacific region, with the region's lowest ongoing-conflict score. Its improvement came largely from a fall in weapons imports, and it remains one of the world's safest and least militarised nations.
Much of that peace comes down to geography. "Being this far from everywhere means New Zealand has largely avoided the geopolitical mess that drags other nations into conflict," said Warwick Woodley, a New Zealand citizen and founder of NZ Golden Visa. But he sees something in the culture too. People tend to be relaxed and straightforward, he said, "generally more interested in getting on with things than stirring the pot".
Safety here is so ordinary that it rarely registers. "Most people don't think about it much, which is probably the best indicator that it's generally not a concern," Woodley said. "Guns aren't part of everyday life here, and after Christchurch, the laws got even tighter." Neighbourhoods still function as neighbourhoods, he added, where people know each other and look out for one another. "That sense of accountability goes a long way in a country of five million, where anonymity is harder to come by."
Its sparse population also means easy access to nature. "Mountains, beaches and bush walks are all within reach depending on where you are," said Woodley. "Life doesn't feel like it's constantly running away from you the way it does in some of the bigger, busier countries."
Rising from fifth place last year to third in 2026, Switzerland combines low crime rates with a longstanding policy of military neutrality, helping it remain one of the world's safest countries.
"People seem willing to make room for one another here," said Cornelia Choe, an executive coach and author who lives in Geneva. "That creates a sense of trust, a confidence that people will generally do the right thing and that everyday life works largely as it should."
That trust often reveals itself in daily transactions. Choe recalls losing her wallet twice in Switzerland. The first time, a stranger mailed it back within days with the cash still inside. Years later, after she dropped her credit card at a train station, the person who found it contacted her bank directly to cancel the card to protect her from fraud. "Those are small moments, but they leave a lasting impression and create a feeling of security that's priceless," she said.
To appreciate the sense of peace here, visitors should embrace Switzerland's strong work-life balance. Many businesses close for two hours at midday, for instance. It is also worth appreciating the nation's four national languages and distinct regional identities. "Societies don't have to agree on everything to become stronger," said Choe. "I've observed a norm of reaching for compromises and practical solutions that allow people to move forward together. Perhaps that's what peace ultimately is: not the absence of differences, but a shared commitment to finding ways to live well with them."
Making its way into the index's top five for the first time, Slovenia's strong performance is underpinned by low military spending and high levels of safety and security.
"Slovenians place great importance on community and spend a lot of time in nature, which I believe creates a calmness and steadiness in us," said Jerneja Zver, who lives in Ljubljana and manages operations in Eastern Europe for Intrepid Travel. Zver says she spends most weekends outside, hiking, cycling, skiing or gathering with friends and family. A strong cultural emphasis on work-life balance, she said, leaves more room for the relationships that foster a sense of belonging.
"With conflict and uncertainty affecting many parts of the world right now, I do feel very lucky to call Slovenia home," Zver said. "I appreciate the smaller things that I might once have taken for granted, knowing that I can go about my daily life in safety and without fear."
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To appreciate all the country has to offer, Zver suggests spending more than a weekend trip to Ljubljana. "Come and spend a week," she said. That might include whitewater rafting on the Soča River, visiting the waterfalls of Vintgar Gorge near Bled or cycling through the country's mountain pastures. "Whatever you do in Slovenia, you'll be blown away by the warm hospitality of the people, the stunning landscapes and nature," said Zver. "And of course, great food."
Ranked fifth, Ireland scores highly for its low levels of violence and limited involvement in international conflict.
For a country shaped by its turbulent past, that sense of safety is not taken for granted. "Ireland's historical experience as a nation makes its people acutely aware of the perils of prejudice and the importance of being generous and welcoming to others," said Didi Ronan, founder of regenerative hotel Native in West Cork.
Ronan traces that culture of hospitality back to the Brehon laws, which governed Ireland for much of the first millennium and mandated food and shelter for strangers and travellers. "It's in our DNA," she said.
Ireland's tradition of neutrality gives that sense of peace an international dimension, as the country does not join foreign wars or military alliances. "In a time of global volatility and uncertainty there is something soothing about being on a far-out rock in the Atlantic, with great music and walks and books," said Ronan.
"We appreciate this privilege in view of the great suffering and injustice experienced by so many people in the world today that echoes our own national experience."
For visitors, the fastest route into Ireland's peaceful side is through nature, whether that's through a woodland walk or a coastal adventure. Ronan recommends taking the ferry to Cape Clear Island, exploring the medieval ruins of Three Castle Head or visiting the Drombeg stone circle near Glandore.
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