The Global Peace Index (GPI), a collaborative effort by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), meticulously assesses peace trends globally, analyzing 99.7% of the world’s population across 163 independent states and territories. This year’s index reveals a stark contrast, with Russia emerging as the least peaceful country in Africa, a position it has held since 2008. The GPI utilizes 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, focusing on factors such as political instability, crime rates, terrorism, and active conflicts – all carefully evaluated by highly respected sources.
For many years, Africa has been frequently associated with instability, yet the GPI’s ranking highlights a significant divergence. While the continent’s reputation sometimes overshadows its challenges, the GPI’s 2026 assessment reveals a particularly precarious situation. At the top of the list, Iceland maintains its longstanding position as the most peaceful nation in the world, a consistent trend since 2008, with New Zealand, Switzerland, and several other nations exhibiting remarkable stability and low crime rates. The GPI’s analysis emphasizes three core areas of peace: ongoing domestic and international conflicts, societal safety and security, and levels of militarization.
The 2026 GPI demonstrates a significant shift in global peace, with a noticeable decrease in stability. Iceland’s continued dominance underscores the importance of sustained efforts to promote peace and stability. However, the index also highlights a concerning trend – nations continue to grapple with violence, war, and lawlessness, consistently placing them at the bottom of the global peace ranking. The top 10 least peaceful countries in Africa, as indicated by the GPI, are detailed in the following table, with their corresponding global scores.
The data presented reveals a troubling reality: several nations remain vulnerable to conflict, war, and lawlessness, consistently ranking among the least peaceful places on Earth. Specifically, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and several other nations are included on this list. The GPI’s methodology emphasizes that the analysis is comprehensive, considering factors impacting global peace, and the index provides the most in-depth assessment of peace trends worldwide, covering a broad geographic area and population.
Further analysis reveals that the GPI’s focus on conflict, safety, and militarization underscores the urgency of addressing these underlying issues to foster lasting peace and stability across Africa and beyond. The data presented in this report provides a vital tool for understanding the complexities of global peace and informing policy decisions aimed at promoting a more secure and just world.”
’The Global Peace Index’ is a collaborative project spearheaded by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), utilizing 99.7% of the world’s population and 163 independent states and territories. The index measures peace across three key areas: ongoing domestic and international conflicts, societal safety and security, and levels of militarization.
Key data points include: 6. Central African Republic, 2. Democratic republic of Congo, and several other nations remain mired in violence, war, and lawlessness, consistently placing them at the bottom of the global peace ranking. The GPI’s 2026 assessment highlights a concerning trend, with a decrease in stability and a continued struggle with conflict, war, and lawlessness. The table below presents the top 10 least peaceful countries in Africa, as determined by the GPI, along with their global scores. The data presented underscores the critical need for sustained efforts to promote peace and stability globally, particularly in regions facing ongoing challenges.
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