Global Peace Index Ranks the Safest Countries in the World for 2023

The Institute of Economics and Peace has revealed its latest Global Peace Index for 2023, ranking the safest countries around the world.

Iceland finishes first yet again with an impeccable score of 1.124. It’s worth pointing out that the European island country has topped the GPI every year since 2008 thanks to its low crime rates, minimal military spending and conflict avoidance.

The GPI is a composite index measuring the peacefulness of countries comprising 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators. Factors include levels of violence and crime as well as terrorism and international conflicts.

Trailing Iceland are Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and Austria, all of which earned scores of 1.316 or lower.

Singapore, Portugal, Slovenia, Japan and Switzerland round out this year’s top 10.

Europe dominates the GPI, with dozens of destinations flooding the top. Meanwhile, Uruguay (1.798) is the highest ranked South American country in 50th.

Canada (1.35) ranks 11th, the United Kingdom (1.693) finished 37th and the United States (2.448) ranks a dismal 131st out of 163 nations. Mexico (2.599) ranks 136th this year.

The five lowest ranking countries are Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.