If you’ve ever wondered which country is the safest in the world to live in 2025, a new global study has revealed the answer.
According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025, Iceland continues to hold its position as the safest country in the world — a title it has maintained for over a decade.
The ranking was compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent international organization that annually assesses peace and safety levels in 163 countries using 23 different indicators. These include:
- Crime rate
- Political stability
- Diplomatic relations
- Militarization
- Number of internal and external conflicts
- Population’s perception of safety
Iceland leads as the safest country in the world in 2025
With a small population, advanced social welfare policies, and an efficient justice system, Iceland is consistently recognized as the most peaceful country on the planet. It has no permanent armed forces, low crime rates, and strong social cohesion.
Ireland ranks second, followed by New Zealand — known for its pristine nature, strong democracy, and engaged population. European countries dominate the top 20, highlighting the continent as the most stable region in terms of peace and security.
Top 20 safest countries in the world in 2025:
- Iceland
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- Japan
- Malaysia
- T-14. Netherlands
- T-14. Canada
- Belgium
- Hungary
- Australia
- Croatia
- Germany
United States and United Kingdom rank below average
Despite being major economic powers with global influence, the United States ranks only 128th, reflecting high crime rates, political polarization, and internal instability. The United Kingdom ranks 30th, trailing many of its European neighbors.
Canada, the U.S.’s northern neighbor, ranks significantly higher at 14th, tied with the Netherlands. It is recognized for its peaceful foreign policy, cultural diversity, and low levels of violence.
The least safe countries in the world in 2025
At the bottom of the list, the countries with the worst levels of peace and security in 2025 are:
163rd: Yemen
162nd: Democratic Republic of the Congo
161st: Sudan
160th: Ukraine
159th: Russia
These nations face armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and severe political instability, all of which deeply undermine the safety of their populations.
What makes a country safe?
The top-ranked countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index share common traits: low levels of violence, inclusive policies, good governance, access to education and healthcare, and strong diplomatic relations.
If you’re seeking quality of life, stability, and safety, destinations like Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, and Canada stand out as the best options for living or traveling with peace of mind in 2025.
Source: MensJournal. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
