While some countries have mastered the art of tranquillity, others seem to have enrolled in a masterclass on chaos.
The Global Peace Index 2025 reveals which nations are struggling most with maintaining stability, proving that peace isn’t just a luxury—it’s apparently a rare commodity in today’s world. These 10 countries represent the inverse of serenity, where conflict has become the norm rather than the exception.

Understanding the GPI Scale
The Global Peace Index measures peacefulness through 23 indicators across 3 domains:
- Societal safety and security
- Ongoing conflicts
- Militarization
Higher scores indicate greater instability, making these rankings a sobering reminder of global challenges.
The gap between the most and least peaceful nations continues to widen, with “peace inequality” rising by 11.7 per cent over the past two decades.
Least Peaceful Countries in 2025

10. Mali (GPI Score: 3.061)
Mali occupies the tenth position among the world’s least peaceful countries, reflecting the profound challenges facing this West African nation.
The country has experienced significant political instability since 2012, when a military coup disrupted its democratic governance and opened the door to various armed groups.
The security situation in Mali remains precarious despite international intervention.
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) faced constant attacks before its withdrawal in 2023, highlighting the severity of the security challenges.
Mali’s instability stems from multiple factors: weak governance structures, ethnic tensions between various groups, economic marginalisation of northern regions, and the proliferation of armed groups.
The country’s vast desert territories make it difficult for the central government to maintain control, while drug trafficking routes through the Sahel provide funding for militant organisations.
9. Israel (GPI Score: 3.108)

Israel’s position as the ninth least peaceful country reflects the ongoing tensions and conflicts that have defined the region for decades. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a central source of instability.
The October 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent military response in Gaza have further deteriorated the security situation, as followed by the Iran-Israel Conflict now!
The country maintains one of the world’s most advanced military forces relative to its size, with mandatory conscription and substantial defence spending.
The ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, settlement expansion, and restrictions on Palestinian movement create continuous friction. Internal divisions between Israeli Jews and Arabs, as well as between secular and religious communities, add domestic tensions.
8. South Sudan (GPI Score: 3.117)

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, having gained independence in 2011, ranks as the eighth least peaceful country. The nation’s brief history has been marked by devastating civil war, ethnic violence, and humanitarian crises that have displaced millions of people.
The civil war that began in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar has created a cycle of violence that defies easy resolution. Despite multiple peace agreements, fighting continues in various regions, with ethnic dimensions that make reconciliation particularly challenging.
Economic collapse has compounded South Sudan’s problems. Despite significant oil reserves, the country struggles with poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited government capacity.
The breakdown of basic services, including healthcare and education, has created a humanitarian emergency affecting millions of people.
7. Syria (GPI Score: 3.184)

Syria’s position as the seventh least peaceful country reflects more than a decade of civil war that has devastated the nation and displaced millions.
The conflict that began in 2011 has evolved into a complex multi-sided war involving government forces, opposition groups, Kurdish forces, and various international actors.
The Syrian conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. More than half a million people have died, and over 13 million require humanitarian assistance.
The use of chemical weapons, targeting of civilians, and destruction of healthcare facilities have characterised the conflict’s brutality.
International involvement has complicated resolution efforts. Russia and Iran support the Assad government.
Turkey, the United States, and various Arab nations have backed different opposition groups. The presence of ISIS and other extremist organisations has added another dimension to the conflict.
6. Afghanistan (GPI Score: 3.229)

Afghanistan’s sixth-place ranking reflects the ongoing instability following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. While the end of active combat between coalition forces and the Taliban reduced some forms of violence, new challenges have emerged under Taliban rule.
The Taliban’s governance approach has created significant domestic tensions, particularly regarding women’s rights and education.
The exclusion of women from public life, including bans on education and employment, has generated internal resistance and international condemnation.
Economic collapse following the withdrawal of international support has created widespread poverty and humanitarian needs.
Security challenges persist despite Taliban control. ISIS-K continues to conduct attacks, particularly targeting minority communities and Taliban installations.
The country’s position as a hub for international terrorism remains a concern, while the collapse of democratic institutions has eliminated peaceful mechanisms for political participation and grievance resolution.
5. Yemen (GPI Score: 3.262)

Yemen ranks as the fifth least peaceful country, reflecting what many consider the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The conflict that began in 2014 has created a complex web of violence involving multiple actors and producing devastating consequences for civilians.
The war began when Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, seized control of the capital, Sana’a, and forced the internationally recognised government to flee.
A Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in 2015 aimed to restore the government, but instead escalated the conflict into a regional proxy war.
The fighting has fragmented the country into multiple zones of control, making unified governance impossible.
Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe is staggering. The United Nations estimates that over 20 million people require humanitarian assistance, with widespread food insecurity and disease outbreaks.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (GPI Score: 3.292)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) occupies the fourth position among the least peaceful countries, reflecting decades of conflict, weak governance, and resource-driven violence.
Despite vast natural wealth, the country remains one of the world’s poorest and most unstable nations.
The eastern regions of the DRC have experienced continuous conflict involving numerous armed groups, government forces, and international peacekeepers. The presence of valuable minerals, including coltan and gold, has fueled conflicts as various actors compete for control of mining areas.
Sexual violence has become a weapon of war in the DRC, with thousands of women and children victimised annually. The breakdown of law and order has created conditions where impunity prevails, making it difficult to protect civilians or establish sustainable peace.
3. Sudan (GPI Score: 3.323)

Sudan ranks as the third least peaceful country, reflecting the ongoing civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The current conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced internally and hundreds of thousands fleeing to neighbouring countries. The fighting has particularly affected urban areas, including the capital Khartoum, disrupting basic services and economic activity.
Sudan’s challenges extend beyond the current conflict. The country faces economic collapse, with inflation and currency devaluation making basic goods unaffordable for many citizens. Ethnic conflicts in regions like Darfur and South Kordofan continue to generate violence and displacement.
2. Ukraine (GPI Score: 3.434)

Ukraine holds the second position among the least peaceful countries due to the ongoing war with Russia that began with the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The conflict has transformed Ukraine into a primary battleground between democratic values and authoritarian aggression.
The war has created Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II, with millions of Ukrainians displaced internally and internationally. Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power grids, hospitals, and schools, have violated international humanitarian law and created widespread suffering.
Despite massive international support, Ukraine faces enormous challenges in defending its territory while maintaining democratic governance. The country has implemented martial law while attempting to preserve democratic institutions and civil liberties.
1. Russia (GPI Score: 3.441)

Russia tops the list as the world’s least peaceful country in 2025, marking the first time it has occupied this position. The country’s invasion of Ukraine has not only created international conflict but has also transformed Russian society through militarisation and authoritarian control.
Russia’s domestic situation has deteriorated significantly since the invasion began. The government has implemented increasingly repressive measures, criminalising dissent and opposition to the war.
The international isolation resulting from sanctions and diplomatic boycotts has profound implications for Russia’s future. The country’s economy faces long-term challenges as it becomes increasingly dependent on China and other authoritarian partners. The brain drain of educated Russians fleeing the country represents a significant loss of human capital that will affect development for generations.

Bottom Line
The 2025 Global Peace Index’s bottom 10 reveals a sobering reality: while some nations enjoy the luxury of debating traffic laws and tax policies, others grapple with existential threats to their very survival.
These countries remind us that peace isn’t just a noble aspiration—it’s a practical necessity for human flourishing. Perhaps the rest of the world should take notes on what not to do, lest they find themselves competing for the unwanted title of “least peaceful nation” in future rankings.
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