Global Peace Index: Turkey Among World’s Least Peaceful Nations

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has released its 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), ranking 163 countries across 23 indicators covering safety, conflict, and militarization. The report highlights that global peace has deteriorated for the sixth consecutive year, with 2023 marking the highest number of active conflicts since World War II, totaling 59.

The economic toll of violence remains staggering—estimated at $19.1 trillion, or 13.5% of global GDP.

Iceland Holds Top Spot, Türkiye Slips to 146th

For the 17th consecutive year, Iceland was named the world’s most peaceful country. Other countries in the top 20 include Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, and Singapore, most of them European or Pacific nations with strong stability records.

Türkiye, by contrast, ranked 146th out of 163 countries, sliding further down the index compared to last year. The report attributes this low placement to:

• Ongoing conflict with the PKK

• Military involvement in Syria

• High levels of militarization

• Geopolitical tensions with neighboring states

Within its regional grouping of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Türkiye ranked 13th, a region heavily affected by the Russia–Ukraine war.

Middle East and North Africa Remain Least Peaceful

The report underscores the persistent security crisis in the Middle East.

• Israel ranked 155th, among the most conflict-affected nations.

• Syria (157th), Yemen (159th), Palestine (145th), and Iran (142nd) also remained near the bottom.

• At the very end of the index were Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, and Syria, highlighting regions of prolonged warfare.

• The United States was ranked 128th, falling behind countries like Honduras and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Western Europe retained its status as the most peaceful region globally, while the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) ranked as the least peaceful.

Rising Militarization and Regional Trends

The 2025 GPI found that 106 countries increased their defense spending, reinforcing concerns over global militarization. The report warns that this trend not only reduces stability but also diverts resources from economic development and social welfare.

Despite widespread deterioration, regions like Central Asia and the South Caucasus showed some progress, though the overall balance tilted toward instability.