2025 Global Peace Index Report: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, reveals a critical state of global stability. The world is experiencing the highest number of active state-based conflicts since World War II. Seventeen countries reported over 1,000 conflict-related deaths in the past year, with an additional eighteen countries recording more than one hundred fatalities.

The GPI evaluates 163 nations based on 23 indicators across three domains: Ongoing Conflict, Safety and Security, and Militarisation. The findings highlight significant challenges to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Top 10 Least Peaceful Countries in 2025

Despite geographic diversity, the ten least peaceful countries share common traits such as ongoing internal or external conflicts, weak governance, high militarisation, and severe humanitarian crises. Many are involved in internationalised conflicts, which exacerbate instability and hinder progress towards the SDGs.

1. 10. Mali

   Rank: 154 | GPI Score: 3.061 | Change: ↓1 from 2024

   Mali faces jihadist insurgencies and political instability. The military-led government, withdrawal of international peacekeepers, and worsening human rights conditions contribute to its decline. This situation undermines SDG 16 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by weakening governance and increasing insecurity.

2. 9. Israel

   Rank: 155 | GPI Score: 3.108 | No change from 2024

   The 2023 war with Hamas severely impacted Israel’s peacefulness, with high casualties and regional instability. Military expenditure increased significantly, affecting SDG 16 and SDG 3 due to the humanitarian consequences of conflict.

3. 8. South Sudan

   Rank: 156 | GPI Score: 3.117 | Change: ↑2 from 2024

   South Sudan is at high risk for conflict escalation. Internal divisions, external interference, and loss of public trust have led to increased deaths and displacement, impeding progress on SDG 16, SDG 1, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

4. 7. Syria

   Rank: 157 | GPI Score: 3.184 | Change: ↓1 from 2024

   Despite regime change in late 2024, Syria faces ongoing border clashes and humanitarian crises. These challenges obstruct SDG 16 and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), as well as SDG 3.

5. 6. Afghanistan

   Rank: 158 | GPI Score: 3.229 | Change: ↑2 from 2024

   Afghanistan remains fragile with internal repression and violent extremism. It has the highest global score in Safety and Security, with worsening political terror and limited justice access, directly affecting SDG 16 and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

6. 5. Yemen

   Rank: 159 | GPI Score: 3.262 | Change: ↑3 from 2024

   Years of civil war and humanitarian disaster continue to plague Yemen. Persistent displacement, political fragmentation, and poverty hinder SDG 1, SDG 2, and SDG 16.

7. 4. Democratic Republic of the Congo

   Rank: 160 | GPI Score: 3.292 | Change: ↓3 from 2024

   The DRC faces conflict escalation driven by external involvement and ethnic exclusion. Rising conflict deaths and displacement challenge SDG 16, SDG 10, and SDG 3.

8. 3. Sudan

   Rank: 161 | GPI Score: 3.323 | Change: ↑2 from 2024

   Sudan is engulfed in civil war with significant casualties and humanitarian access issues. Widespread displacement and lawlessness impede SDG 16 and SDG 1.

9. 2. Ukraine

   Rank: 162 | GPI Score: 3.434 | Change: ↓3 from 2024

   Ongoing war with Russia places Ukraine as the second least peaceful country. Increased organised crime and arms trafficking undermine SDG 16 and public safety.

10. 1. Russia

    Rank: 163 | GPI Score: 3.441 | Change: ↓2 from 2024

    Russia is ranked the least peaceful country for the first time. The continuation of the Ukraine war, internal violence, and militarisation severely impact SDG 16 and regional stability.

Societal Safety and Security: A Critical Dimension of Peace

The Societal Safety and Security domain of the GPI evaluates internal stability through indicators such as violent crime, political instability, terrorism impact, and access to law enforcement. This domain is closely linked to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies.

Countries with the lowest scores in societal safety and security also tend to be among the least peaceful globally, highlighting a strong correlation between personal insecurity and systemic fragility. Common features include ongoing conflict, weak governance, institutional erosion, and loss of public trust in justice systems.

Countries with the Lowest Societal Safety and Security Scores in 2025

• Afghanistan
• Yemen
• South Sudan
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Sudan
• Myanmar
• Central African Republic
• Syria
• Somalia
• Eritrea
• Colombia

Addressing these challenges is essential for advancing the SDGs, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). Sustainable peace and security form the foundation for achieving inclusive development and improving quality of life worldwide.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article focuses on global peace, conflict, governance, and security issues, directly relating to SDG 16 which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build effective institutions.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Conflict-related deaths, humanitarian crises, and displacement affect health and well-being, linking to SDG 3’s goal to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
3. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Political fragmentation, displacement, and poverty mentioned in countries like Yemen relate to SDG 1’s aim to end poverty in all its forms.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Ethnic exclusion and internal divisions highlighted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan connect to SDG 10’s focus on reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16 Targets:
   • 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
2. SDG 3 Targets:
   • 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
   • 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 1 Targets:
   • 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services.
   • 1.5: Build resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
4. SDG 10 Targets:
   • 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 16:
   • Number of conflict-related deaths (Indicator for Target 16.1).
   • Levels of political instability and violence (Indicator for Target 16.1 and 16.6).
   • Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (related to militarisation and peace indicators).
   • Access to justice and law enforcement effectiveness (Indicator for Target 16.3).
   • Number of displaced persons due to conflict (related to Target 16.1 and 16.7).
   • Perceptions of criminality and terrorism impact (Indicator for societal safety and security).
2. Indicators related to SDG 3:
   • Conflict-related mortality rates (Indicator for Target 3.9).
   • Access to health services in conflict zones (implied for Target 3.8).
3. Indicators related to SDG 1:
   • Rates of poverty and displacement (implied indicators for Target 1.4 and 1.5).
4. Indicators related to SDG 10:
   • Measures of ethnic exclusion and social fragmentation (implied indicators for Target 10.2).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: visionofhumanity.org