Before you go through the list, you should know that the metrics include aspects like the perceptions of criminality, police rate, homicide rate, incarceration rate, access to small arms, violent demonstrations, violent crime, political instability, number of deaths from conflict, weapons stockpiles, and overall safety and security, among others. The 2026 report also found that global peace was at its lowest level since the index was introduced in 2007, and the conditions that precede conflict were the worst since the Second World War. Ninety-nine countries on the list experienced deterioration in peacefulness in the past year. The number of active, state-based conflicts reached 61.
