Short answer: according to the Global Peace Index 2026, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland.
There are many ways to measure how safe a country is. The best-known ranking is the Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which looks at crime, political stability, conflict and militarisation, among other factors.
The 10 safest countries in the world
This is the top 10 of the Global Peace Index 2026, according to The Spokesman-Review:
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Slovenia
- Ireland
- Austria
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Finland
- Japan
Why Iceland?
Iceland has topped the index for years. It has no army, little crime and a stable society. For travellers, Iceland is known above all for its nature: waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and the northern lights. Do take the weather and nature seriously: they are often a bigger risk there than crime.
Travelling safely
- Check your government’s official travel advice before you leave.
- A country can be safe overall and still have risks, such as natural hazards or pickpockets in busy cities.
- Consider travel insurance, especially for long-haul trips.
Final edit: Jan Willem Beumer, editor-in-chief of Mindbogglingmedia
