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🗞️ Driving the news: Amid a surge in global conflicts and rising militarisation, five countries — Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Singapore — have maintained their positions as the world’s safest according to the 2025 Global Peace Index
• These nations ranked highest across 23 indicators measuring domestic safety, international conflict, and militarisation, offering valuable insights into how policy, culture, and governance can foster enduring peace.
🔭 The context: The Global Peace Index, published annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace, evaluates 163 countries
• In 2025, the index highlights an alarming rise in armed conflicts, now at their highest level since WWII
• Nevertheless, the top-ranking countries — largely unchanged for two decades — showcase the long-term impact of neutrality, strong social safety nets, demilitarisation, and inclusive governance
• Their sustained peace is not merely statistical, but deeply embedded in social values and daily life
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These nations exemplify how strategic investment in social cohesion, environmental stewardship, and public trust can create resilient societies even in unstable global conditions
• Their models offer scalable lessons for other governments: from demilitarisation in Ireland and Austria, to Iceland’s gender equity policies, to Singapore’s focus on urban safety
• In an era of climate-linked displacement and security risks, peace-building frameworks rooted in policy and community culture are critical
⏭️ What's next: As geopolitical instability grows, the peaceful practices of these countries are likely to gain increased attention from policymakers, civil society, and multilateral institutions
• Replicating such models will require long-term commitments to equity, environmental protection, and diplomatic engagement
• Countries aiming to improve their peace ranking may need to prioritise internal reforms over defence expansion, while also tackling emerging risks such as cyberthreats and climate-induced conflict
💬 One quote: “Safe isn’t just a statistic, it’s the way life feels,” said Armin Pfurtscheller, an Austrian hotel owner, describing how neutrality and social investment create a lived experience of peace
📈 One stat: Iceland, ranked #1 since 2008, widened its lead in 2025 with a 2% year-on-year improvement in peace indicators across all domains
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