The world's 'safest country' in 2025 - not Japan nor Switzerland

The world has become less safe in recent years, according to the Global Peace Index - with a continuing decline in worldwide peacefulness. As the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to rage and NATO members are deciding to spend more on defence, however, one nation remains steadily among the safest in the world. From conflict to war or crime and antisocial behaviour, whether it's distressing world events or problems in the community - you may be wondering just how safe a place Britain is.

Well, the Global Peace Index (GPI) rates the UK as the 30th 'most peaceful' country in the world - out of a total of 163 independent states and territories considered across the globe. According to the GPI, the UK is down two spots on the ranking to 30th, from 32nd in 2024 (the lower the score, the 'safer' the country). Kuwait, Qatar and Italy are just three of the countries that 'beat' the UK with their safety score.

Retaining the top GPI spot - for well over a decade - is Iceland, which has been the 'safest country in the world' for 15 years in a row, according to the index.

So what makes this unique island so safe, after all, it's situated on a volcanic plateau, with many active volcanoes?

The Nordic nation has a fairly small island population of 382,000 - and the Icelandic Constitution guarantees equality and equal rights, including religious freedom, equal pay, same-sex marriage and same-sex adoptions.

The 'Land of Fire and Ice', as it's known, has a very low crime rate, a high standard of living as well as a strong community attitude towards crime.

Residents generally have a high level of trust in police and authority - the police force is said to be well trained, but the officers do not carry firearms.

Along with the 'well-trained police force' there is less tension between social classes and less of an economic divide on this Mid-Atlantic island

Iceland doesn't have any military, forces or a standing army - although it is a member of NATO.

The police use extendable batons and pepper spray to diffuse criminal situations, however the low level of crime means this is not often necessary.

Coming in second for 'safest country' is Austria, followed by Ireland, coming in third, according to the GPI.

On the 2025 Global Peace Index, Russia was ranked at number 163 on the scale - making it the least peaceful country out of the 163 countries ranked by GPI.

The Global Peace Index is the world's leading measure of peacefulness ratings of countries in the world.

The GPI is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and it has been going since 2007.

Global think tank IEP sums up the overall conclusion of 2025's ratings on their website, saying: "Conflict deaths at the highest level this century are causing the world's peacefulness to decline."