The 5 Countries Most Deteriorated in Peacefulness in 2025: Rising Risks, Rapid Declines

The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, reports that while 74 countries improved in peacefulness over the past year, 87 countries recorded a deterioration. The average level of peacefulness declined by 0.36%, the sixth consecutive year of global decline.

While the drivers of deterioration vary from conflict to political repression and regional instability, a common thread among the five most deteriorated countries is the interplay between external threats and internal weaknesses. The rise in violent conflict, increasing militarisation, and declining trust in institutions are deeply interconnected trends that place substantial pressure on peace and stability.

Here’s a look at the five countries facing major declines in peacefulness in 2025:

5. Canada

GPI Score: 1.491 | Change in Peacefulness: -0.085 

Despite remaining one of the world’s most peaceful countries, Canada experienced the fifth-largest deterioration globally in 2025. Political tensions with the United States intensified following the reimposition of tariffs by the second Trump administration. Violent crime rates rose markedly, and Canada’s relations with neighbouring countries deteriorated. These factors led to a notable worsening in the Safety and Security domain.

4. Israel

GPI Score: 3.108 | Change in Peacefulness: -0.145

The outbreak of full-scale war with Hamas in late 2023 led to Israel recording its largest deterioration in peacefulness since the inception of the GPI. Casualties, infrastructure destruction, and rising tensions with neighbouring states drove a major decline in the Ongoing Conflict domain. Israel also registered the largest year-on-year deterioration on the military expenditure indicator. 

3. Bangladesh

GPI Score: 2.318 | Change in Peacefulness: -0.196 

Bangladesh experienced the third-largest deterioration in peacefulness in 2025. The decline was largely driven by repressive political measures under the Hasina government and rising civil unrest. Bangladesh also saw one of the largest deteriorations in the Militarisation domain, reflecting increased defence spending and a more aggressive security posture. 

2. Russia

GPI Score: 3.441 | Change in Peacefulness: -0.209 

Russia experienced the second-largest decline in peacefulness and, for the first time, is ranked as the least peaceful country in the world in 2025. The continuation of the Ukraine war, including the first major incursion onto Russian soil during the Kursk offensive in August 2024, worsened both conflict intensity and internal stability. The Safety and Security and Ongoing Conflict domains recorded major deteriorations, while deaths from internal conflict also rose sharply. 

1. Ukraine

GPI Score: 3.434 | Change in Peacefulness: -0.260 

Ukraine recorded the largest deterioration in peacefulness globally in 2025, driven by the ongoing war with Russia. Alongside battlefield losses, the country saw a rise in domestic violence, organised crime, and arms trafficking. The proliferation of conflict-related weapons contributed to insecurity and undermined public safety. Ukraine’s scores deteriorated across all three domains of the GPI, particularly on the Ongoing Conflict and Safety and Security domains. 

Download and read the 2025 Global Peace Index Report and view the Global Peace Index interactive map. To know more about how peace can be sustained in societies, read the 2024 Positive Peace Report (PPR).

See our analysis of the 5 countries that made the most significant improvement in peacefulness in 2025.