25 Most Peaceful Countries in the World

Published on August 2, 2021 at 9:43 am by Habib Ur Rehman in Lists, News

In this article, we will discuss the 25 most peaceful countries in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of peace and democracy, and go directly to the 5 Most Peaceful Countries in the World.

Peace has been a very important objective in world politics. A world with minimal conflict and crime is a utopia that many nations desire but it still remains out of reach. However, ever since the end of cold war and the establishment of liberal international order, conflict and partisan rivalries have been going out of fashion. It has to do with two effects of the liberal world order that we mentioned: Democratization and Globalization.

More countries have democratized and opened their markets to globalized trade since the end of the cold war than during the cold war. After the Soviet Collapse, much of the world looked towards the United States to emulate their political and economic model. Military dictatorships emerged during this period as an alternative in some countries but they soon waned out due to political and economic incompetence and the propensity to conflict. (Fukuyama, End of History)

With democracy and free markets remaining as the only viable models, most of the world adopted them and this has resulted in reduction of conflict, hostilities and ideological partisanship. A very compelling reason for the reduction of inter-state conflict comes from democratic peace theory which claims that democratic countries are hesitant to go to war with each other. A Harvard paper among numerous others finds a very strong positive correlation between democracy and peace.

On the other hand, globalization due to liberalized economies has played a key role in mitigating intra-state conflicts, ideological polarization and crime through immigrant workforces, multiculturalist policies to assimilate different cultures and economic opportunities to discourage people from turning to illegal means and crime.

Because globalization has been as a result of free market capitalism and Neoliberal economic policies between the states, it has resulted in tremendous economic growth and it has been shown by Visionofhumanity.org that countries with a high GDP growth rate of 2.0 and above, are proportionately peaceful and countries with GDP growth rate lower than 2.0, experience less peace.

One of the strongest indicators of globalization and progress is the global presence of Big Tech companies like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). Even the left-leaning countries are adapting the wondrous technology made by these companies.

On the other hand, global organizations like the United Nations have played a key role in resolving conflict around the world and keeping order in unstable countries like Somalia. 14 developed economies have a very positive view of the UN when it comes to promoting peace around the world according to a Pew Survey, with 72% of US citizens lauding the UN for its role in world peace.

Although there are still internal strife and wars going on in regions like the Middle East and Africa, most of those problems are related to political instability and dictatorships but generally, due to the liberal international order, the world has indeed experienced a fair bit of peace. Many countries are more peaceful than others and the objective of this list is to find the most peaceful of them.

Photo by sabina fratila on Unsplash

Our Methodology:

For our list of the 25 most peaceful countries on the planet, we’d be using the scores from the 2021 Global Peace Index which measures many indicators like ongoing domestic or international conflict involving a country, its political stability, level of partisanship and agreeableness, internal harmony and crime rate among others.

We’ll also be using information from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) to support our thesis. With that said, let’s move down to the list of 25 most peaceful countries in the world.

With this context in mind, let’s now discuss the 25 most peaceful countries in the world.

Most Peaceful Countries in the World

25. Romania

Global Peace Index Score: 1.53

Romania is a country in Eastern Europe and is one of the top 25 most peaceful countries in the world. Its crime rate is also below the European average.

24. Poland

Global Peace Index Score: 1.52

Another Eastern European country on the list of the 25 most peaceful countries on Earth is Poland. Poland is relatively more peaceful than some of its neighbors in the region. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) grades it on level 1 for being among the safest countries in the world.

23. Malaysia

Global Peace Index Score: 1.51

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country. Crime rate is low in Malaysia. OSAC grades the country at level 1 among the safest countries on Earth. Malaysia champions ethnic harmony with 3 largest ethnic groups namely the Malays, the Chinese and the Indians coexisting with harmony.

22. Bhutan

Global Peace Index Score: 1.51

It would not be wrong to characterize Bhutan as an escapist’s paradise. The country likes to keep to itself and is generally not very integrated with the world socially, politically and economically. This is to preserve the Buddhist roots and culture the country espouses. Crime is virtually non-existent and the country consistently tops Gross Happiness Index charts.

21. Netherlands

Global Peace Index Score: 1.50

The Netherlands is a Northwestern European country. It has the 3rd lowest incarceration rate in Europe according to the Guardian, due to policies of rehabilitation and mental health care. This might have an effect on the crime rate which is also very low in the country. It is a multicultural country with a very liberal and tolerant population.

20. Belgium

Global Peace Index Score: 1.49

Belgium is another European country to make it to the list of 25 safest countries in the world. OSAC, in its 2019 report, claimed that the country is relatively free of violent crime and grades the country on level 1 for being among the safest in the world.

19. Hungary

Global Peace Index Score: 1.49

Hungary is a Central European country with a homogenous population and so there’s no room for inter-ethnic tensions. The crime is also on the lower end of the spectrum. OSAC places the country in level 1 for being among the safest in the world.

18. Germany

Global Peace Index Score: 1.48

Germany is another well known European country to make it to the list of 25 most peaceful countries in the world. It’s famous for its engineering and craftsmanship as well as for being one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Germany has a low crime rate and a very multicultural society overseen by liberal institutions.

Various Big Tech companies like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) have presence in Germany.

17. Croatia

Global Peace Index Score: 1.48

Croatia is a Southeastern European country. OSAC places Croatia on level 1 for being among the safest countries on Earth. The country has a low crime rate and a population that is generally more homogenous and harmonious.

16. Australia

Global Peace Index Score: 1.47

Australia is the largest country in Oceania. Due to being isolated from the larger geographical regions of the world, Australia has no geographical conflicts with any other nation. It maintains friendly ties with Asian countries and is a natural ally to European and North American countries. Its population is diverse, multicultural and heavily assimilated. The crime rate is also low in the country. OSAC places Australia in level 1 for being among the safest in the world.

15. Sweden

Global Peace Index Score: 1.46

Sweden is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. It has the Nordic reputation for being one of the safest, and most peaceful countries in the world. Sweden, among other Nordic countries, consistently ranks in the top 10 when it comes to the Happiness Index. It is one of the most welcoming countries for refugees. The society is multicultural and the crime rate is low.

14. Norway

Global Peace Index Score: 1.43

Norway is another Scandinavian country to make it to the list of 25 most peaceful countries in the world. It borders Sweden and like its neighbor, is one of the most peaceful countries on the planet. OSAC places Norway on level 1 for being among the safest countries in the world. Norway has an array of liberal and socialist institutions that ensure harmony in a multicultural society and equitable distribution of resources. The crime rate in Norway is also very low according to the Global Peace Index.

13. Finland

Global Peace Index Score: 1.40

Finland is another Nordic country to make it to the list of 25 most peaceful countries in the world. Like its neighbors in the region, the country has a reputation for being one of the most peaceful and the happiest. Most of this success could be attributed to the Nordic Model implemented in Finland. It is a set of social, political and economic policies that seek to maximize welfare and prosperity in society. Crime is low in Finland and OSAC places the country on level 1 for being among the safest crime wise.

12. Japan

Global Peace Index Score: 1.37

Japan is an East Asian country with a very homogenous population and automatic harmony. Crime rate is low in the country. OSAC places Japan on level 1 for being among the safest countries in the world.

11. Singapore

Global Peace Index Score: 1.34

Singapore is a subtropical Island State in Southeast Asia. It has a diverse multicultural and high income population so the propensity to crime is low. OSAC places Singapore on level 1 for being safe. It also has friendly relations with neighboring countries and so experiences relative peace.

10. Canada

Global Peace Index Score: 1.33

Canada is a North American country with a worldwide reputation for being one of the nicest countries in the world. It has a liberal government and a liberal leaning population that is very welcoming towards immigrants as well as people from different ethnic groups. It’s one of the most successful countries when it comes to multiculturalism and assimilation. The country has a very low crime rate and OSAC places it on level 1 for being among the safest and most peaceful countries in the world.

9. Czech Republic

Global Peace Index Score: 1.329

Czech Republic is another Central European country to make it to the list of 25 most peaceful countries in the world. The country has a low crime rate and one of the lowest homicide rates in all of the EU according to Eurostat. OSAC places the country on level 1 for being among the safest to travel for US citizens.

8. Ireland

Global Peace Index Score: 1.326

Ireland is a sovereign country located next to Northern Ireland which is a part of the UK. Ireland’s crime rate is very low. OSAC claims that crime in the country is exceedingly rare. Ireland is also a very heterogeneous country with rich population diversity, harmony and multiculturalism.

7. Switzerland

Global Peace Index Score: 1.323

Switzerland is another one of the European countries that are known to be among the most peaceful on Earth. It registers a low crime rate, has a multi-ethnic population and there are no inter-ethnic tensions whatsoever. OSAC places the country on level 1 for being one of the safest countries in the world.

6. Austria

Global Peace Index Score: 1.317

OSAC reports that Austria has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe and places the country on level 1 for being among the safest to travel to. Austria also prides itself in keeping friendly relations with its neighbors. The country also has a multi-ethnic population and inter-ethnic harmony.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Peaceful Countries in the World.