No matter how much money you earn and what amount of luxury you own, in the end, what makes you feel satisfied is the sheer fact that you are happy. People have tons of friends, an active social life, and all the success in the world. Yet, at the end of the day, they could be sitting on their bed feeling sad and lonely. Because seldom does materialistic pleasure provide the happiness to a soul. What truly has it singing ballads is life, well-lived.For 19 consecutive years, Iceland has held the top spot on the Global Peace Index for 2026. Each year, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent, non-partisan think tank, publishes the Global Peace Index. Now in its 20th edition, the index ranks 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world population. To do so, it uses 23 “qualitative and quantitative indicators” to measure peace across three key areas: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict and militarisation.The lower the final score, the more peaceful the country. And this time as well, Iceland topped the list followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland. It scored 1.61 and even rose in peacefulness by 2% over the past year. Iceland’s safety and security ranking also improved by 4% and its militarisation ranking improved by 0.3%.
What makes Iceland so peaceful?
Iceland’s exceptional positions is underpinned by the absence of a “standing military, very low crime rates and strong social cohesion.”
According to the report, Iceland’s exceptional positions is underpinned by the absence of a “standing military, very low crime rates and strong social cohesion.”Despite being a NATO member, Iceland does not have a standing army, navy or air force. It relies on the specialised Icelandic Coast Guard for maritime security and a voluntary Crisis Response Unit for International peacekeeping. It has one of the lowest crime rates of any travel destination, and serious crime is uncommon. The police force, known as Logreglan, is largely unarmed during routine patrols, fostering a more community-oriented approach rather than one of intimidation. It is so safe that parents often leave their babies to nap outside in strollers, even in cold weather, so that they can breathe in fresh air.Geographically, the country is a haven for people looking to explore the rawness of nature without feeling isolated from humanity. The air in Iceland is pure, cold and clean. People can walk around areas without having to worry about their health. It has also consistently ranked among the places with the world’s cleanest air, meeting the WHO’s guideline for fine-particle pollution, according to IQAir’s data. Even the tap water in the country is glacial and can be consumed freely.Known for its calm atmosphere, low crime rate and well-organised public spaces, the country is an extremely family-friendly destination. Families can visit sights together and children are welcome in most spaces. A progressive country, Iceland is LGBTQ+ friendly and it has been internationally recognised for gender equality, topping the WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2026 for the 16th year in a row. With a small population and close-knit communities, there is a strong trust and shared responsibility among the residents, making them welcoming guests. The same spirit shows in organised safety systems like the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR), which helps travellers in remote areas.
Where do other countries rank?
The European continent has seven of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
While New Zealand scored second place, it rose a spot from its ranking in 2025, boosted by a drop in weapon imports that improved its militarisation score. Switzerland also climbed up to the third place from its fifth place in 2025. Slovenia climbed five places to fourth due to its own safety and Ireland rounded out the top five.All in all, the European continent has seven of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world. “Western and Central Europe remains the most peaceful region in the world on the 2026 GPI,” the report noted.
