North Korea Remains at "Very Low" Level
Russia Ranks Last for the First Time Ever
An analysis has once again named Iceland as the most peaceful country in the world this year. In contrast, South Korea ranked in the upper-middle tier, while North Korea remained among the lowest-ranked countries.
According to a recent report on the "2025 Global Peace Index" released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), an international think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Iceland was selected as the most peaceful country among 163 nations evaluated for their levels of peace, CNN reported on August 30 (local time).
Iceland scored 1.095 points, maintaining its top position this year as well. It has held the number one spot for 17 consecutive years since 2008. Ireland (1.260 points), New Zealand (1.282 points), Australia (1.294 points), and Switzerland (1.294 points) rounded out the top five.
South Korea received a score of 1.736, rising two spots from last year to rank 41st. In the index, a lower score indicates a higher level of peace.
The report analyzed a total of 23 indicators, including social stability, domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization, to calculate the peace index for each country.
North Korea remained at 149th place with a score of 2.911, marking the second-lowest ranking among Asian countries after Myanmar. North Korea was classified in the lowest of six peace categories, "Very Low."
The United States ranked 128th with a score of 2.443, trailing behind Honduras in Central America, Uganda in Africa, and Bangladesh in South Asia.
The five countries at the bottom of the peace index were Yemen (3.262 points), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.292 points), Sudan (3.323 points), Ukraine (3.434 points), and Russia (3.441 points). Notably, Russia recorded the lowest score among all evaluated countries, falling to 163rd place for the first time. Both Ukraine and Russia dropped in the rankings compared to the previous year.
The report stated, "This year, the global average peace score deteriorated by 0.36% compared to the previous year," adding, "The level of peace declined in more than half of the countries surveyed, with 87 nations experiencing a decrease."
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