Context:

Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 recently ranked Iceland as the most peaceful country for the 17th consecutive year. India was placed at 115th out of 163 countries, reflecting a modest improvement in its peace score compared to the previous year.

About the Global Peace Index (GPI):

• An annual ranking that measures the relative peacefulness of nations.
• Covers 163 independent states and territories, representing 99.7% of the global population.

Published by:

• The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a global think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The GPI assesses nations based on 23 indicators grouped into three main domains

India’s Position in the Global Peace Index:

India has been ranked 115th in the 2025 GPI, reflecting a modest improvement from the previous year. India’s current GPI score stands at 2.229, indicating a 0.58% increase in peacefulness. Despite progress, the country still faces challenges related to internal conflicts, border tensions, and security concerns.

Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries:

1.       Iceland

2.      Ireland

3.      New Zealand

4.     Finland

5.     Austria

6.     Switzerland

7.      Singapore

8.     Portugal

9.     Denmark

10. Slovenia

Least Peaceful Countries:

• Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Yemen.

Regional Insights:

• Europe continues to dominate the top 10.
• South America showed improvement, especially Argentina and Peru.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East remain the least peaceful regions.
• Global peacefulness has declined overall due to rising internal conflicts, militarisation, and geopolitical tensions.

About Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP):

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) is an independent, non-profit think tank dedicated to measuring peace, understanding its economic impact, and identifying the social, economic, and institutional factors that foster lasting peace.

Key Concepts

·         Positive Peace: IEP promotes the idea of "Positive Peace," defined by eight pillars including a well-functioning government, low corruption, sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, and more.

·         It highlights that peace is not merely the absence of violence, but the presence of structures that sustain societal harmony.

Headquarters and Global Presence

·         Headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

·         Global offices located in New York, Brussels, The Hague, Mexico City, and Harare.

Conclusion:

While India's slight improvement in the GPI 2025 ranking is a positive sign, substantial challenges remain. Tackling internal unrest, reducing militarisation, and promoting inclusive development will be key to ensuring long-term peace. The GPI serves as a critical benchmark to guide policy and measure progress on national and global stability.