Most Dangerous Countries in the World 2026

Every year, the Institute for Economics and Peace releases its Global Peace Index report. This report is the only one of its kind that measures how dangerous or safe a nation is based on 23 different indicators, including political terror, deaths from internal conflict, and murder rate.

The GPI report evaluates 163 countries that account for more than 99.7% of the world’s total population. The factors analyzed in the report are grouped into three different areas: Safety and Security, Ongoing Conflict, and Militarization. The factors used to compile this report include: the number of internal and external violent conflicts, level of distrust, political instability, potential for terrorist acts, number of homicides, and military expenditures as a percentage of GDP. A score is calculated for each of the 163 nations featured in the report based on these factors. The higher the score, the more dangerous the country is and the lower it ranks in terms of safety.

Global Peace Trends and Deterioration (GPI 2024–2025 Context)

Comparing the 2024 and 2025 Global Peace Index reports, the picture is clear: the world has become less peaceful once again. The 2025 Global Peace Index shows an overall decline of 0.36%, marking the sixth straight year of worsening global peacefulness. While 74 countries saw some improvement, a larger group—87 countries—became less peaceful, reinforcing the idea that conflict and instability tend to escalate faster than peace can be rebuilt.

Several major forces are driving this continued decline. There are now 59 active state-based conflicts worldwide, the highest number since World War II, and many conflicts are no longer confined within national borders. In fact, 78 countries are involved in fighting beyond their own territory. Ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, along with rising instability across parts of Africa and the Middle East, have weighed heavily on global peace. At the same time, military spending is increasing, geopolitical tensions are rising, and international cooperation is weakening.

The 2025 Global Peace Index also makes clear just how uneven safety is around the world. In this most recent report’s rankings, 17 countries are classified as being in a “very low” state of peace, meaning daily life is shaped by severe instability or ongoing conflict, with GPI scores above 2.9. On the other end of the spectrum, the world’s safest countries score between 1.1 and 1.4, places where conflict is rare and public safety is far stronger.

In addition to determining the most dangerous countries in the world, the Global Peace Index also tracks the safest countries in the world. Also noteworthy is the fact that the GPI measures the safety of people as a whole. Other data sources may focus more specifically on certain demographics, such as the most dangerous countries for women or the most dangerous countries for Christians.

The 10 Most Dangerous Countries in the World

1. Russia

In the 2025 Global Peace Index, Russia ranked as the least peaceful country in the world, driven largely by its ongoing war with Ukraine and rising militarization. Heavy military engagement, high conflict-related deaths, and increased military spending all weighed heavily on Russia’s score. At the same time, economic strain from sanctions, political repression, and international isolation have added pressure at home, making daily life more uncertain for many Russians. Together, these factors pushed Russia to the bottom of the global peace rankings in 2025.

2. Ukraine

In the 2025 Global Peace Index, Ukraine ranked as the second least peaceful country in the world, reflecting the ongoing toll of Russia’s invasion. Years of fighting have reshaped everyday life, forcing millions of people from their homes and leaving many communities struggling with damaged infrastructure, disrupted services, and constant uncertainty. For a large share of the population, daily concerns revolve around safety, displacement, and survival rather than normal economic or social activity. Despite strong international support and national resilience, the continued conflict keeps Ukraine among the world’s most dangerous places in 2025.

3. Sudan

Sudan ranks among the world’s least peaceful countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index, driven by a brutal internal conflict that has torn the country apart. Fighting between rival military forces has led to widespread violence, especially in regions like Darfur, where civilians have been caught in the crossfire. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes, basic services have collapsed, and access to food and medical care remains severely limited. With law and order largely broken down in many areas, daily life for much of Sudan’s population is defined by insecurity and humanitarian crisis.

4. DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to rank among the world’s most dangerous countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index, largely due to ongoing armed conflict and chronic instability. In many regions, armed groups operate with little restraint, making everyday life unpredictable and often unsafe for civilians. Violence, displacement, and humanitarian emergencies remain common, especially in the eastern part of the country, where fighting regularly disrupts access to food, healthcare, and security. While conditions did not dramatically worsen over the past year, the persistence of conflict keeps millions of people living in a state of constant uncertainty.

5. Yemen

Yemen remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world in the 2025 Global Peace Index, driven by years of war that continue to devastate daily life. Millions of people have been forced from their homes, and most of the population relies on humanitarian aid just to survive. Ongoing fighting, political instability, and food insecurity have left large parts of the country struggling with hunger, disease, and limited access to basic services. Tensions tied to regional conflicts and attacks affecting Red Sea shipping routes have only added to the strain, reinforcing Yemen’s position as one of the least peaceful places on Earth.

6. Afghanistan

Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world in the 2025 Global Peace Index, reflecting decades of conflict that continue to shape everyday life. While large-scale fighting has eased compared to earlier years, the country still struggles with deep instability, weak institutions, and heavy militarization. Ongoing security concerns, economic hardship, and limited access to basic services keep conditions difficult for much of the population. Even with fewer battlefield deaths than in the past, Afghanistan’s fragile peace and lack of long-term stability continue to place it among the world’s least peaceful nations.

7. Syria

Syria remains among the world’s most dangerous countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index, shaped by more than a decade of civil war and instability. While the intensity of fighting has fluctuated, violence, crime, and political fragmentation continue to affect daily life across much of the country. Millions of Syrians remain displaced either within the country or abroad, and basic services and security are unreliable outside a few tightly controlled areas. With weak rule of law and ongoing regional tensions, Syria’s long-running conflict continues to weigh heavily on its peace ranking.

8. South Sudan

South Sudan remains one of the least peaceful countries in the world in the 2025 Global Peace Index, driven by ongoing internal conflict, political instability, and recurring humanitarian crises. While large-scale fighting has ebbed at times, local violence, displacement, and weak governance continue to disrupt daily life for millions. Peace agreements have struggled to translate into lasting stability on the ground, and progress has been slow. As a result, South Sudan’s overall safety and security remain fragile, keeping it firmly among the world’s most dangerous countries.

9. Israel

Israel’s position in the 2025 Global Peace Index reflects a sharp drop in peacefulness following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict dramatically increased Israel’s Ongoing Conflict score, while regional tensions expanded to include clashes involving Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Inside the country, everyday safety also deteriorated, with rising casualties, frequent security alerts, and a noticeable decline in how safe people feel going about daily life. Together, these pressures pushed Israel to one of its lowest rankings ever, a testament to just how quickly sustained conflict can reshape national stability.

10. Mali

Mali remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world, as ongoing conflict and instability continue to shape daily life. Armed groups—including extremist factions—control large parts of the country, making travel, governance, and basic security difficult even outside active battle zones. Violence has displaced millions across Mali and the wider Sahel, and the humanitarian toll keeps growing as food shortages, poverty, and insecurity reinforce one another. Despite international involvement and repeated peace efforts, the conflict has proven hard to contain, keeping Mali firmly among the least peaceful countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index.