People walking on the street in Bucharest. Illustrative photo. Photo source: Dreamstime.com
In a year marked by conflict, five nations continue to rank among the world's most peaceful.
In 2025, global wars have intensified, border security has tightened, and trade tensions continue to rise. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) of 2025, the number of conflicts between states has reached the highest level since the Second World War, reports the BBC.
However, some nations continue to prioritize peace. The GPI ranking, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, compiled the list based on 23 indicators, from foreign conflicts and military spending to safety and security measures such as terrorism and homicide.
Top five safest countries in the world
In this ranking, Romania is placed among the countries with a high level of safety. However, our country ranks 38th, tied with Vietnam, and far behind Bulgaria, which ranks 29th.
Ranked #1 since 2008, Iceland remains the world's most peaceful nation, leading in all three areas: safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarization. It even saw a 2% improvement this year, widening the gap to the second-placed country on the list.
It is in second place Irelandwhich, although marked by conflicts throughout the 20th century, the country continues to put peace first. It scored particularly high for reducing militarization year-over-year and ranked among the countries with the fewest ongoing internal and international conflicts. It also ranked in the top 10 for safety and social security, with a low level of perception of crime and violence.
The next top ranked is New zealand, which moved up two places to third, thanks to improvements in safety and security, as well as a reduction in the number of demonstrations and the impact of terrorism.
As an island nation in the Pacific, New Zealand's geography gives it a natural buffer against external conflict, but its domestic policies also give its residents a sense of peace.
“The Firearms Laws of new zealand they are among the strictest in the world, which definitely adds to the feeling of safety,” said Mischa Mannix-Opie, director of customer experience at relocation firm Greener Pastures, who has lived in New Zealand all her life.
Austria has dropped one position this year to fourth place, but continues to hold a leading position in all areas. Like Ireland, Austria adopts a policy of constitutional neutrality, which prohibits it from joining military alliances such as NATO. This allows the country to focus its attention and resources domestically. Austria is followed by Switzerland.
