The Global Peace Index 2026 has placed Singapore as the eighth most peaceful nation out of 163 countries and territories evaluated worldwide, with the city-state also claiming the second-highest ranking in the Asia-Pacific region—a remarkable feat given an increasingly turbulent global landscape.
This annual assessment, conducted by the Institute for Economics and Peace, measures national tranquility through a composite of indicators including violence rates, crime levels, political stability, military expenditure, weapons accessibility, and social unrest. Each country receives a weighted peacefulness score, with lower numbers indicating greater stability. Nations are then ordered from most to least peaceful.
Singapore’s performance this year saw a microscopic shift—a deterioration of just 0.001 points from the previous year—allowing it to maintain a firm grip on the runner-up position in the Asia-Pacific, trailing only New Zealand, which holds the global number two slot.
This stability stands in stark contrast to broader regional trends. The wider Asia-Pacific area experienced a 0.9 percent decline in peacefulness, fueled by intensifying conflicts and weakening public safety indicators. Yet, despite this downturn, the region remains the second most peaceful globally, trailing only Western and Central Europe. Singapore consistently functions as a benchmark for security and stability throughout the area.
Global peacefulness erodes for 12th consecutive year
On a worldwide scale, the index reveals that peacefulness has dropped by 0.7 percent over the past twelve months. This marks the 12th straight annual decline and the 15th deterioration in the last 18 years—a sobering trajectory that underscores mounting geopolitical strains.
When examining the global rankings, Iceland continues its unprecedented dominance, securing the title of the world’s most peaceful nation for the 19th consecutive year. The complete top ten list showcases a strong European presence:
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Slovenia
- Ireland
- Austria
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Finland
- Japan
What this means for residents and visitors
For those living in or traveling to Singapore, the ranking reinforces what many already know: the nation offers a high degree of personal safety, low crime rates, and stable governance rarely matched elsewhere in the region. The index serves as a practical tool for expatriates considering relocation, businesses evaluating operational risk, and tourists seeking secure destinations.
The full report, available through the Institute for Economics and Peace, provides detailed breakdowns by country, allowing readers to examine specific factors driving each nation’s score. As global peacefulness trends downward, Singapore’s ability to remain relatively unscathed amidst regional volatility offers a compelling case study in effective governance and social cohesion.