Source: TOI
Context
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has released the 20th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026 in June 2026. Iceland has retained its position as the world’s most peaceful country for the 19th consecutive year, with an overall score of 1.161. However, India dropped to 127th position in 2026 with a score of 2.409, from 115th position in 2025, marking a 2.9 per cent decrease in its overall score. The GPI assesses 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation. Russia ranked last at 163rd as the least peaceful country.
The Report
- Released by: Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
- Edition: 20th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI).
- Year: 2026.
- Coverage: 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
- Method: 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators.
The Three Domains Measured
- Societal Safety and Security: Violent crime, political instability, terrorism, internal conflict.
- Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict: Wars, armed conflicts, deaths from conflict.
- Militarisation: Military expenditure, armed services personnel, weapons imports.
Top 5 Most Peaceful Countries (2026 GPI)
| Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1.161 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 1.343 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 1.363 |
| 4 | Slovenia | 1.369 |
| 5 | Ireland | 1.371 |
Bottom 5 Least Peaceful Countries (2026 GPI)
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 163 (last) | Russia (overall score 3.367) |
| 162 | Sudan |
| 161 | Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) |
| 160 | Ukraine |
| 159 | Israel |
India’s Position
- 2026 Rank: 127th (out of 163).
- 2026 Score: 2.409.
- 2025 Rank: 115th.
- Drop: 12 places.
- Score change: Worsened by 2.9 per cent.
Why India’s Rank Dropped
The score deterioration reflects:
- Border tensions with neighbours.
- Increased militarisation.
- Domestic terror incidents including Pahalgam attack (April 2025).
- Cross-border conflicts.
- Increased weapons imports.
Iceland’s 19-Year Run at the Top
- Iceland has held the No.1 position since 2008.
- Why Iceland scores so high:
- No standing army.
- Very low violent crime rates.
- Strong rule of law.
- Effective political institutions.
- Geographic isolation (no major neighbours).
- Membership of NATO (provides security without standing army).
- High Human Development Index (HDI).
What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)?
- An annual report ranking countries on their level of peacefulness.
- First published: 2007.
- Published by: Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) in Sydney, Australia.
- Founded by: Steve Killelea.
- Methodology: 23 indicators weighted across 3 domains.
- Scoring: Lower scores = more peaceful, Higher scores = less peaceful.
About the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)
- An international think tank.
- Founded: 2007.
- Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in New York, The Hague, Mexico City, Brussels, Nairobi, Harare.
- Founder: Steve Killelea, Australian philanthropist.
- Other reports by IEP:
- Global Peace Index (GPI).
- Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
- Mexico Peace Index.
- Ecological Threat Report (ETR).
- Positive Peace Index (PPI).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026, consider the following statements:
- The 2026 GPI is the 20th edition of the report, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
- Iceland retained its position as the world’s most peaceful country for the 19th consecutive year.
- India dropped to 127th position in 2026 from 115th in 2025.
- Russia was ranked as the most peaceful country in 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Russia was ranked LAST (163rd) as the least peaceful country, NOT the most peaceful.)
Q2. With reference to the GPI methodology, consider the following statements:
- The GPI covers 163 independent states and territories, representing 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
- It uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators.
- The three domains are: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation.
- Lower scores in the GPI indicate less peaceful countries.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; lower scores indicate MORE peaceful countries, NOT less peaceful.)
Q3. With reference to the top 5 most peaceful countries in GPI 2026, consider the following statements:
- Iceland ranks 1st, followed by New Zealand at 2nd.
- Switzerland ranks 3rd, Slovenia 4th, and Ireland 5th.
- India is among the top 10 most peaceful countries.
- The United States is among the bottom 5 least peaceful countries.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 2 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statements 3 and 4 are wrong; India is at 127th, NOT in the top 10; the bottom 5 include Russia, Sudan, DRC, Ukraine, Israel, NOT the United States.)
Q4. With reference to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), consider the following statements:
- IEP is an international think tank founded in 2007 by Steve Killelea.
- IEP is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
- IEP publishes the Global Peace Index (GPI), Global Terrorism Index (GTI), Positive Peace Index (PPI), and Ecological Threat Report (ETR).
- IEP is a government organisation under the United Nations.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; IEP is an independent international think tank, NOT a UN government organisation.)
Q5. With reference to Iceland’s position in the GPI, consider the following statements:
- Iceland has been the world’s most peaceful country since 2008.
- Iceland has no standing army, relying on NATO and its Coast Guard for defence.
- Iceland is a founding member of NATO (1949).
- Iceland is a member of the European Union (EU) and the Eurozone.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; Iceland is NOT a member of the EU or the Eurozone; it is a member of EFTA.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Russia was ranked last (163rd).
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because lower scores indicate more peaceful countries.
- (a), Statements 1 and 2 are correct; Statements 3 and 4 are wrong because India is at 127th and the US is not in the bottom 5.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because IEP is an independent think tank.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Iceland is not a member of the EU or Eurozone.
