Pakistan’s position in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026 has deteriorated significantly, with the country ranking 152nd out of 163 countries, compared with 146th place in the previous year.
According to the latest report published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Global Peace Index is a comprehensive assessment that measures the level of peace and stability across countries using 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators.
The report identifies Iceland as the world’s most peaceful country, followed by New Zealand in second place and Switzerland in third. Other countries in the top ten include Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland and Japan.
The report notes that Pakistan has fallen six places compared with last year, marking its lowest ranking since 2017. The country’s overall score deteriorated by 5.5%, reflecting continued challenges in maintaining peace and stability.
According to the findings, Pakistan recorded improvements in nine indicators, declines in eight and no change in six. The most significant deterioration was observed in the “Ongoing Conflict” category, which worsened by 17%. However, modest improvements were recorded in the indicators relating to safety and security, as well as militarisation.
The report also highlights a broader global trend, noting that the overall state of peace worldwide declined by 0.7% over the past year. This marks the twelfth consecutive year in which global peace levels have worsened. During the reporting period, 99 countries experienced a decline in peacefulness, while 62 countries recorded improvements.
The findings underscore both Pakistan’s continuing security challenges and the wider deterioration in global peace and stability, as geopolitical tensions and conflicts continue to affect countries across multiple regions.
