Washington, D.C., October 25, 2025 – The United States has slipped to 128th place in the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), a comprehensive report from the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The ranking, which evaluates nations on their societal safety, security, ongoing conflicts, and levels of militarization, places the U.S. behind countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. This marks a concerning trend in the country’s position in the annual peace assessment.
What Happened?
According to the IEP’s 19th annual report, the U.S. ranks near the bottom of the Global Peace Index, reflecting rising concerns over internal conflicts and security issues. The GPI is based on 23 indicators that measure a nation’s safety, the extent of domestic and international conflicts, and militarization. In the 2025 rankings, the U.S. dropped 5 spots compared to the previous year.
The report shows that globally, peace has declined, with 87 countries becoming less peaceful and 74 improving. The U.S. has faced increasing social unrest, political polarization, and growing concerns over gun violence, which have contributed to the country’s relatively low score. The report also mentions that the U.S. is experiencing a rise in militarization and an intensifying geopolitical role that may have contributed to its position on the list.
Global Peace Declines
The 2025 GPI report shows a 0.36% decline in global peacefulness, marking the 13th deterioration in the last 17 years. The world’s peace index is now at its lowest point since World War II, with 59 state-based conflicts recorded in the past year — an increase of three from the previous year. The IEP noted that modern conflicts are becoming more internationalized and harder to resolve, with the majority no longer ending through traditional peace treaties or decisive military victories.
In particular, the Middle East and North Africa continue to be the least peaceful regions in the world, while Western and Central Europe, despite being home to eight of the top ten most peaceful countries, has seen a steady decline in peacefulness over the past four years. South America was the only region to show improvement in 2025.
Iceland Remains the Most Peaceful Country
Iceland has retained its title as the world’s most peaceful country for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland. At the opposite end of the scale, Russia ranks as the least peaceful country, followed by Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen.
Despite the overall global decline, some regions have shown positive changes. Notably, South America experienced the only regional improvement, although the general trend still suggests a rise in militarization and ongoing conflicts.
The Rise of Militarization
The IEP report highlights a worrying reversal of a near two-decade decline in militarization. Over the last two years, 106 countries have become more militarized, which has contributed significantly to the decline in global peace. This trend is linked to the increase in international conflicts, rising military expenditures, and the use of force in resolving disputes.
The United States, as a major global power, plays a significant role in this shift. The IEP attributes part of the deterioration of global peace to the U.S.’s increasing military involvement and the global perception of its interventionist policies.
Looking Ahead
The IEP’s findings underscore the importance of addressing rising militarization and internal security challenges, especially for major powers like the U.S. As the 2025 GPI suggests, addressing the root causes of conflict and focusing on peaceful diplomatic resolutions will be key to reversing these trends.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
