Russia Ranks Least Peaceful as Global Stability Declines in 2025

The 2025 Global Peace Index identifies Russia as the least peaceful country worldwide, amid the ongoing Russia Ukraine war and escalating Middle East tensions that undermine international stability. Covering 163 countries, the index reports a sixth consecutive year of global peacefulness decline, with significant impacts from ongoing conflicts and high militarization in nations including the US and Israel. While regions like Afghanistan and Yemen remain highly insecure, some improvements in violent demonstrations and homicide rates are noted in parts of Central and North America, highlighting a complex and deteriorating global security environment.

Background & Context

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual assessment that measures countries’ levels of peace based on factors such as domestic and international conflict, societal safety, and militarization. This comprehensive report reflects the broader impact of major ongoing conflicts, including the Russia Ukraine war, which continues to shape global geopolitical stability. The Index serves as a vital tool for policymakers, researchers, and analysts seeking to understand the evolving challenges to international security and peace.

Despite numerous diplomatic attempts—including ceasefire talks and humanitarian exchanges—lasting peace remains elusive in many conflict zones. Public concern has grown alongside worsening peace metrics, prompting stronger calls for diplomatic initiatives, conflict resolution, and demilitarization efforts. While some regional improvements in safety indicators offer cautious optimism, the broader landscape remains marked by global instability influenced by sustained warfare and geopolitical tensions.

Key Developments & Timeline

2008: The Global Peace Index was established to measure worldwide peacefulness using a comprehensive framework.
2022–Present: The Russia-Ukraine war, alongside other regional conflicts, escalated significantly, contributing to worsening global stability and security concerns.
2023–2025: Global peacefulness experienced a consecutive decline over six years, with an average decrease of 0.36% in the last year alone, reflecting mounting geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
2025: The 19th edition of the Global Peace Index was published, ranking Russia as the least peaceful country globally amid its military aggression, while Iceland remained the most peaceful nation.
2025 Analysis: The index assessed 163 countries based on 23 indicators, including societal safety, ongoing conflicts, and militarization levels. The US and Israel ranked lowest in terms of militarization due to high defense expenditures and extensive military presence.
Regional Highlights: Afghanistan, Yemen, and South Sudan experienced the lowest safety and security levels, while parts of Central and North America showed some improvements in violent demonstrations and homicide rates.
Ongoing Challenges: Rising economic uncertainties and surging geopolitical tensions continue to exacerbate global instability, with implications for conflict zones and international relations.

This timeline underscores the deteriorating state of global security, driven significantly by the Russia Ukraine war and its associated impact on regional and global peace. The steep rise in militarization, persistent Russian military operations, and escalating conflicts in multiple areas contribute to a high threat level worldwide.

The Global Peace Index serves as a vital tool in tracking these trends, shedding light on the complex interplay between armed conflicts, societal safety, and geopolitical hostilities that continue to dominate the international agenda.

Official Statements & Analysis

The 2025 Global Peace Index highlights a troubling downturn in global stability, with Russia identified as the least peaceful country worldwide, largely due to the ongoing Russia Ukraine war and escalating geopolitical conflicts. Covering 163 nations, the index evaluates societal safety, militarization, and ongoing conflicts, revealing that global peacefulness has steadily declined for six straight years. Particularly, Russia and Ukraine rank lowest in the ongoing conflict domain, underscoring the severe impact of the war on both regional and international security landscapes. Concurrently, countries like the US and Israel show high militarization levels, contributing further to global tensions.

Despite some improvements in violent demonstrations and homicide rates in regions such as Central and North America, the overall increase in militarization and persistent conflicts in hotspots like the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Yemen amplify risks related to civilian safety, economic volatility, and humanitarian crises. This deterioration signals the need for heightened vigilance around defense strategies, crisis preparedness, and diplomatic engagement amid growing uncertainty. The increased military buildup and sustained conflicts emphasize the global community’s urgent challenge in managing geopolitical instability and preventing further escalations.

Conclusion

The latest 2025 Global Peace Index highlights the profound impact of the Russia Ukraine war and related geopolitical tensions on global peace, ranking Russia as the least peaceful country worldwide. This ongoing conflict, alongside escalating issues in the Middle East, continues to fuel international instability and contribute to a sustained decline in global peacefulness. While some regions show improvements in violence reduction, the overall trend toward increasing militarization and conflict presents significant risks to civilian safety and economic stability. Moving forward, concerted diplomatic efforts, conflict prevention strategies, and reduced militarization are essential to reversing these trends and fostering a more secure and stable international environment.

Gorilla Tape – Stronger than regular duct tape — Gorilla Tape holds fast in the worst conditions.

Tactical Loadouts – Build your full bug-out kit with modular, mission-ready tactical gear.