Introduction
The most violent countries in the world are those that are currently embroiled in armed conflicts or have recently experienced protracted wars. These countries often see large numbers of civilian casualties, displacement of populations, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and natural resources. In some cases, civil wars may even lead to a breakdown in state authority and a proliferation of armed groups making up their own rules. Some of the most violent countries in recent history include Syria, Myanmar, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia. All of these countries have seen levels of violence unparalleled since World War II due to the nature of their conflicts which often involve multiple actors with different interests. In addition to death tolls from direct combat between combatants, civilians also suffer due to disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and other indirect consequences of war. In many cases, such violence is perpetuated by political unrest and human rights abuses committed by ruling elites with impunity. Although such violence can be devastating for entire generations as well as communities and states within these countries, it is important to recognize that these are not isolated issues but rather interlinked phenomena influenced by complex economic and political factors at work on a global scale.
# | Country | Global Peace Index |
---|---|---|
1 | Afghanistan | 3.55 |
2 | Yemen | 3.39 |
3 | Syria | 3.36 |
4 | Russia | 3.28 |
5 | South Sudan | 3.18 |
6 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 3.17 |
7 | Iraq | 3.16 |
8 | Somalia | 3.13 |
9 | Central African Republic | 3.02 |
10 | Sudan | 3.01 |
11 | Ukraine | 2.97 |
12 | North Korea | 2.94 |
13 | Libya | 2.93 |
14 | Mali | 2.91 |
15 | Ethiopia | 2.81 |
16 | Venezuela | 2.8 |
17 | Burkina Faso | 2.79 |
18 | Pakistan | 2.79 |
19 | Turkey | 2.79 |
20 | Colombia | 2.73 |
21 | Nigeria | 2.73 |
22 | Cameroon | 2.71 |
23 | Iran | 2.69 |
24 | Niger | 2.66 |
25 | Myanmar | 2.63 |
26 | Lebanon | 2.62 |
27 | Mexico | 2.61 |
28 | Chad | 2.59 |
29 | India | 2.58 |
30 | Israel | 2.58 |
31 | Palestine | 2.55 |
32 | Eritrea | 2.49 |
33 | Brazil | 2.47 |
34 | Burundi | 2.47 |
35 | Azerbaijan | 2.44 |
36 | United States of America | 2.44 |
37 | Zimbabwe | 2.35 |
38 | Egypt | 2.34 |
39 | Philippines | 2.34 |
40 | Guinea | 2.33 |
41 | Nicaragua | 2.33 |
42 | Mozambique | 2.32 |
43 | Uganda | 2.31 |
44 | Kenya | 2.3 |
45 | Saudi Arabia | 2.29 |
46 | South Africa | 2.28 |
47 | Honduras | 2.27 |
48 | Belarus | 2.26 |
49 | Haiti | 2.25 |
50 | El Salvador | 2.23 |
51 | Djibouti | 2.21 |
52 | Mauritania | 2.19 |
53 | Republic of the Congo | 2.18 |
54 | Guinea-Bissau | 2.16 |
55 | Algeria | 2.15 |
56 | Guatemala | 2.14 |
57 | Guyana | 2.14 |
58 | Ivory Coast | 2.14 |
59 | Benin | 2.13 |
60 | Turkmenistan | 2.12 |
61 | Thailand | 2.1 |
62 | Bahrain | 2.09 |
63 | Lesotho | 2.09 |
64 | Peru | 2.09 |
65 | Togo | 2.09 |
66 | Cuba | 2.08 |
67 | Bangladesh | 2.07 |
68 | Georgia | 2.07 |
69 | Kazakhstan | 2.07 |
70 | Papua New Guinea | 2.05 |
71 | Kyrgyzstan | 2.03 |
72 | Tajikistan | 2.03 |
73 | Eswatini | 2.03 |
74 | Sri Lanka | 2.02 |
75 | People's Republic of China | 2.01 |
76 | Trinidad and Tobago | 2.01 |
77 | Madagascar | 2 |
78 | Tanzania | 2 |
79 | Tunisia | 2 |
80 | Uzbekistan | 2 |
81 | Armenia | 1.99 |
82 | Bolivia | 1.99 |
83 | Dominican Republic | 1.99 |
84 | Ecuador | 1.99 |
85 | Jamaica | 1.99 |
86 | Angola | 1.98 |
87 | Paraguay | 1.98 |
88 | Gabon | 1.97 |
89 | Liberia | 1.97 |
90 | Morocco | 1.97 |
91 | Nepal | 1.95 |
92 | Rwanda | 1.95 |
93 | Kosovo | 1.94 |
94 | Senegal | 1.92 |
95 | Argentina | 1.91 |
96 | Namibia | 1.91 |
97 | Cyprus | 1.9 |
98 | France | 1.9 |
99 | Malawi | 1.9 |
100 | Oman | 1.89 |
101 | Cambodia | 1.88 |
102 | Moldova | 1.88 |
103 | Panama | 1.88 |
104 | United Arab Emirates | 1.87 |
105 | Equatorial Guinea | 1.86 |
106 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1.85 |
107 | Jordan | 1.85 |
108 | Chile | 1.84 |
109 | East Timor | 1.84 |
110 | Greece | 1.84 |
111 | Zambia | 1.84 |
112 | Serbia | 1.83 |
113 | Laos | 1.81 |
114 | Botswana | 1.8 |
115 | Indonesia | 1.8 |
116 | Montenegro | 1.8 |
117 | Sierra Leone | 1.8 |
118 | Uruguay | 1.8 |
119 | The Gambia | 1.79 |
120 | Vietnam | 1.79 |
121 | Mongolia | 1.78 |
122 | South Korea | 1.78 |
123 | Albania | 1.76 |
124 | Ghana | 1.76 |
125 | Kuwait | 1.74 |
126 | Costa Rica | 1.73 |
127 | Lithuania | 1.72 |
128 | Latvia | 1.67 |
129 | United Kingdom | 1.67 |
130 | Estonia | 1.66 |
131 | Italy | 1.64 |
132 | Romania | 1.64 |
133 | Taiwan | 1.62 |
134 | Spain | 1.6 |
135 | Australia | 1.57 |
136 | Mauritius | 1.57 |
137 | Sweden | 1.56 |
138 | Poland | 1.55 |
139 | Bulgaria | 1.54 |
140 | Belgium | 1.53 |
141 | Qatar | 1.53 |
142 | Netherlands | 1.52 |
143 | Slovakia | 1.5 |
144 | Bhutan | 1.48 |
145 | Malaysia | 1.47 |
146 | Norway | 1.47 |
147 | Germany | 1.46 |
148 | Croatia | 1.44 |
149 | Finland | 1.44 |
150 | Hungary | 1.41 |
151 | Canada | 1.39 |
152 | Switzerland | 1.36 |
153 | Japan | 1.34 |
154 | Singapore | 1.33 |
155 | Czech Republic | 1.32 |
156 | Slovenia | 1.32 |
157 | Austria | 1.3 |
158 | Denmark | 1.3 |
159 | Portugal | 1.3 |
160 | Ireland | 1.29 |
161 | New Zealand | 1.27 |
162 | Iceland | 1.11 |
Countries with Most Violence
The countries with the most violence are Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Russia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Sudan. Afghanistan ranks first as the most dangerous country in the world, with a global peace index of 3.55. Yemen ranks second among the most dangerous countries in the world and has a global peace index of 3.39. Syria ranks third among the most dangerous countries and has a global peace index of 3.36. Russia ranks fourth among the most dangerous countries in the world, with a global peace index of 3.28. South Sudan ranks fifth among the most dangerous countries and has a global peace index of 3.18. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks sixth among the most dangerous countries in the world, with a global peace index of 3.17. Iraq ranks seventh among the most dangerous countries and has a global peace index of 3.16. Somalia ranks eighth among the most dangerous countries in the world, with a global peace index of 3.13. The Central African Republic ranks ninth among the most dangerous countries and has a global peace index of 3.02. Sudan ranks tenth among the most dangerous countries in the world with a global peace index of 3.01.
Most Violent Countries in the World
1. Afghanistan – 3.55
2. Yemen – 3.39
3. Syria – 3.36
4. Russia – 3.28
5. South Sudan – 3.18
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 3.17
7. Iraq – 3.16
8. Somalia – 3.13
9. Central African Republic – 3.02
10. Sudan – 3.01
Most Violent Country
Afghanistan is considered to be the most violent country with a global peace global index of 3.55. The nation has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with ongoing violence perpetrated by terror groups like the Taliban, as well as internal and external actors. According to reports from the United Nations, Afghanistan is one of the countries with the highest death toll due to armed conflict. Civilians are all too often caught in the crossfire amidst widespread bombings, targeted assassinations, inter-ethnic strife, and other violent acts. In addition to its political instability, Afghanistan also suffers from a lack of basic infrastructure and frequent natural disasters such as droughts that add an additional layer of hardship to ordinary people’s lives.
Global Peace Index by Country
Afghanistan
Ranked in the World
#1
Albania
Ranked in the World
#123
Albania is not considered a violent country, ranking one hundred and twenty-third based on its global peace index of 1.76. On the contrary, Albania is a country where peace and stability reign. There has not been any war or significant political violence since the end of communism in the 1990s. This lengthy period of peace has enabled Albania to continue to grow and develop its economy, with a focus on tourism, agriculture, and exports. In addition, Albania is a member of NATO and other regional organizations, offering an additional layer of defense against hostile forces. Albania has also invested heavily in modernizing its military in order to keep its borders secure.
Algeria
Ranked in the World
#55
Angola
Ranked in the World
#86
Argentina
Ranked in the World
#95
Armenia
Ranked in the World
#81
Australia
Ranked in the World
#135
Austria
Ranked in the World
#157
Azerbaijan
Ranked in the World
#35
Bahrain
Ranked in the World
#62
Bangladesh
Ranked in the World
#67
Belarus
Ranked in the World
#48
Belgium
Ranked in the World
#140
Benin
Ranked in the World
#59
Bhutan
Ranked in the World
#144
Bolivia
Ranked in the World
#82
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ranked in the World
#106
Botswana
Ranked in the World
#114
Brazil
Ranked in the World
#33
Bulgaria
Ranked in the World
#139
Burkina Faso
Ranked in the World
#17
Burundi
Ranked in the World
#34
Cambodia
Ranked in the World
#101
Cameroon
Ranked in the World
#22
Canada
Ranked in the World
#151
Central African Republic
Ranked in the World
#9
Chad
Ranked in the World
#28
Chile
Ranked in the World
#108
Colombia
Ranked in the World
#20
Colombia is one of the most violent countries in the world, ranking twentieth based on its global peace index of 2.73. In fact, Colombia has a long history of violence and conflict. In the last century, it has experienced wars such as the Thousand Days war of 1899-1902, civil conflicts such as La Violencia from 1948-1966, political violence driven by multiple guerrilla groups and paramilitary organizations since the 1960s, terrorist attacks by local extremist organizations in the 2000s, and chronic political instability throughout its entire history. Additionally, Colombia is home to powerful drug cartels that have been engaged in violent turf wars with each other for decades.
Costa Rica
Ranked in the World
#126
Croatia
Ranked in the World
#148
Cuba
Ranked in the World
#66
Cyprus
Ranked in the World
#97
Czech Republic
Ranked in the World
#155
The Czech Republic is not considered a violent country, ranking one hundred and fifty-fifth based on its global peace index of 1.32. Home to 10.51 million people, the nation has currently no instances of political violence or terrorism, thanks in part to its strong commitment to democracy and respect for human rights. The Czech Republic also has low levels of drug-related crime and illegal trafficking, which helps contribute to a safe and secure environment. With a well-established government that ensures stability and security, citizens can enjoy their lives without fear of warfare or instability.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ranked in the World
#6
Denmark
Ranked in the World
#158
Djibouti
Ranked in the World
#51
Dominican Republic
Ranked in the World
#83
East Timor
Ranked in the World
#109
Ecuador
Ranked in the World
#84
Egypt
Ranked in the World
#38
El Salvador
Ranked in the World
#50
Equatorial Guinea
Ranked in the World
#105
Eritrea
Ranked in the World
#32
Estonia
Ranked in the World
#130
Eswatini
Ranked in the World
#71
Ethiopia
Ranked in the World
#15
Finland
Ranked in the World
#149
France
Ranked in the World
#98
Gabon
Ranked in the World
#88
Georgia
Ranked in the World
#68
Germany
Ranked in the World
#147
Ghana
Ranked in the World
#124
Greece
Ranked in the World
#110
Guatemala
Ranked in the World
#56
Guinea
Ranked in the World
#40
Guinea-Bissau
Ranked in the World
#54
Guyana
Ranked in the World
#57
Haiti
Ranked in the World
#49
Honduras
Ranked in the World
#47
Hungary
Ranked in the World
#150
Iceland
Ranked in the World
#162
India
Ranked in the World
#29
Indonesia
Ranked in the World
#115
Iran
Ranked in the World
#23
Iraq
Ranked in the World
#7
Ireland
Ranked in the World
#160
Israel
Ranked in the World
#30
Italy
Ranked in the World
#131
Italy is not considered a violent country, ranking one hundred and thirty-first based on its global peace index of 1.64. This is due to several factors, such as the absence of any current conflicts or wars and the fact that Italy has managed relatively low political instability since World War II. Additionally, there are few reports of political violence and terrorism in the country.
Ivory Coast
Ranked in the World
#58
Jamaica
Ranked in the World
#85
Japan
Ranked in the World
#153
Jordan
Ranked in the World
#107
Kazakhstan
Ranked in the World
#69
Kenya
Ranked in the World
#44
Kosovo
Ranked in the World
#93
Kuwait
Ranked in the World
#125
Kyrgyzstan
Ranked in the World
#72
Laos
Ranked in the World
#113
Latvia
Ranked in the World
#128
Lebanon
Ranked in the World
#26
Lesotho
Ranked in the World
#63
Liberia
Ranked in the World
#89
Libya
Ranked in the World
#13
Lithuania
Ranked in the World
#127
Madagascar
Ranked in the World
#77
Malawi
Ranked in the World
#99
Malaysia
Ranked in the World
#145
Mali
Ranked in the World
#14
Mauritania
Ranked in the World
#52
Mauritius
Ranked in the World
#136
Mexico
Ranked in the World
#27
Mexico is one of the most violent countries in the world, ranking twenty-seventh based on its global peace index of 2.61. The country's history of political instability has been an underlying cause of these issues. Drug cartels have also contributed significantly to the violent nature of Mexican society. These cartels are involved in illegal activities such as extortion, threats, and murders and have managed to gain control over much of the country’s territory, particularly in rural areas. Moreover, many groups are involved in gang wars which have become increasingly deadly due to the use of high-powered weapons and paramilitary tactics. All these factors contribute to Mexico’s high level of violence.
Moldova
Ranked in the World
#102
Moldova is not considered a violent country, ranking one hundred and second based on its global peace index of 1.88. The government is generally stable and committed to democratic reforms and national integration, creating an environment that is conducive to development. There has been an overall decline in crime rates since 2013, and terrorism is almost non-existent in Moldova as no terrorist attacks have occurred since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. As a result of this peace and stability, Moldova has been able to enjoy economic growth and social development, allowing its people to live secure lives without fear of violent conflicts or uprisings.
Mongolia
Ranked in the World
#121
Montenegro
Ranked in the World
#116
Morocco
Ranked in the World
#90
Mozambique
Ranked in the World
#42
Myanmar
Ranked in the World
#25
Namibia
Ranked in the World
#96
Nepal
Ranked in the World
#91
Netherlands
Ranked in the World
#142
New Zealand
Ranked in the World
#161
New Zealand is one of the least violent countries in the world, ranking one hundred and sixty-first based on its global peace index of 1.27. This is attributed mainly to the country's commitment to democracy, strong rule of law, and focus on international diplomacy. Furthermore, the lack of major internal or external threats has enabled New Zealanders to remain peaceful and secure for many years. The country also has a well-developed education system that promotes tolerance and respect for different cultures and beliefs. In addition, New Zealand's geographic isolation from other large countries has allowed it to remain mostly unaffected by international conflicts and disputes. This, combined with strict gun control laws and a highly effective police force, has contributed significantly to creating an atmosphere where violence is rare and peace is maintained.
Nicaragua
Ranked in the World
#41
Niger
Ranked in the World
#24
Nigeria
Ranked in the World
#21
North Korea
Ranked in the World
#12
Norway
Ranked in the World
#146
Oman
Ranked in the World
#100
Pakistan
Ranked in the World
#18
Palestine
Ranked in the World
#31
Panama
Ranked in the World
#103
Papua New Guinea
Ranked in the World
#70
Paraguay
Ranked in the World
#87
People's Republic of China
Ranked in the World
#75
China is considered a violent country, ranking seventy-fifth based on its global peace index of 2.01. Specifically, China’s authoritarian regime has increasingly used violence against its citizens, who are perceived as threats to the ruling power's authority. For example, Uyghur Muslims living in Xinjiang province are subjected to arbitrary detention, physical torture, and other forms of coercive state-sponsored violence because of their religious beliefs. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, China's government implemented extreme measures including forced confinement in order to contain the spread of the virus.
Peru
Ranked in the World
#64
Philippines
Ranked in the World
#39
Poland
Ranked in the World
#138
Portugal
Ranked in the World
#159
Qatar
Ranked in the World
#141
Republic of the Congo
Ranked in the World
#53
Romania
Ranked in the World
#132
Russia
Ranked in the World
#4
Rwanda
Ranked in the World
#92
Saudi Arabia
Ranked in the World
#45
Senegal
Ranked in the World
#94
Serbia
Ranked in the World
#112
Serbia is not considered to be a violent country anymore, ranking one hundred and twelfth based on its global peace index of 1.83. The country has seen a turnaround in recent years that has led to its transformation from a country marked by violence and political instability to one of relative peace and stability. This transition can be attributed to the absence of wars, conflicts, political violence, terrorism, and other forms of social unrest due to concerted efforts by the government and citizens to promote peaceful coexistence among the nation's various ethnic groups. In addition, Serbia has taken significant steps towards economic development and democratization which have resulted in improved living conditions for many citizens.
Sierra Leone
Ranked in the World
#117
Singapore
Ranked in the World
#154
Singapore is one of the least violent countries in the world, ranking one hundred and fifty-fourth based on its global peace index of 1.33. In fact, Singapore is one of the most peaceful countries in the world due to its stringent security measures and strict regulations. The political situation in this country is generally stable, and there is little political violence or terrorism within its borders. To further reduce violence, the government takes preventative steps such as investing heavily in public safety initiatives that promote non-violent conflict resolution and provide better access to law enforcement services. Furthermore, Singapore has an effective criminal justice system that includes tough laws for violent crimes and a proactive approach to crime prevention. This combination of tight security measures and strong legal systems ensures that Singapore remains one of the safest nations in the world, free from war, conflict, political violence, terrorism, and political instability.
Slovakia
Ranked in the World
#143
Slovenia
Ranked in the World
#156
Somalia
Ranked in the World
#8
South Africa
Ranked in the World
#46
South Korea
Ranked in the World
#122
South Sudan
Ranked in the World
#5
Spain
Ranked in the World
#134
Sri Lanka
Ranked in the World
#74
Sudan
Ranked in the World
#10
Sweden
Ranked in the World
#137
Sweden is not a violent country, ranking one hundred and thirty-seventh based on its global peace index of 1.56. In fact, Sweden is a peaceful and non-violent country, with a long record of stability and a lack of armed conflict. Throughout its history, Sweden has remained largely neutral in times of global war, leading to an absence of violence within its borders as well as an absence of political instability. The Swedish government is also known for its strong commitment to human rights, and its respect for the rule of law; this has resulted in very low levels of terrorism and political violence. In addition, the country's economy is relatively strong and income inequality is low, which contributes to its overall sense of social cohesion and peacefulness. All these factors have made Sweden one of the least violent countries in the world.
Switzerland
Ranked in the World
#152
Syria
Ranked in the World
#3
Taiwan
Ranked in the World
#133
Tajikistan
Ranked in the World
#73
Tanzania
Ranked in the World
#78
Thailand
Ranked in the World
#61
The Gambia
Ranked in the World
#119
Togo
Ranked in the World
#65
Trinidad and Tobago
Ranked in the World
#76
Tunisia
Ranked in the World
#79
Turkey
Ranked in the World
#19
Turkmenistan
Ranked in the World
#60
Uganda
Ranked in the World
#43
Ukraine
Ranked in the World
#11
United Arab Emirates
Ranked in the World
#104
United Kingdom
Ranked in the World
#129
United States of America
Ranked in the World
#36
The United States is considered a violent country, ranking thirty-sixth based on its global peace index of 2.44. This is due to the fact that the United States has been involved in a number of conflicts around the world, and that the US military budget is one of the highest in the world. Furthermore, America is one of the nine countries to possess nuclear weapons and has an arsenal of over 6,800 warheads. Lastly, gun ownership is widespread in the US and many citizens have easy access to firearms. This combination of international conflicts, military spending, nuclear capacity, and easy access to guns has made the United States a very violent country.
Uruguay
Ranked in the World
#118
Uzbekistan
Ranked in the World
#80
Venezuela
Ranked in the World
#16
Vietnam
Ranked in the World
#120
Yemen
Ranked in the World
#2
Zambia
Ranked in the World
#111
Zimbabwe
Ranked in the World
#37
FAQs
Which country is the most violent ?
The most violent country is Afghanistan with a global peace global index of 3.55.
What is the least violent country ?
The least violent country is Iceland with a global peace index of 1.11.
What are the 10 most violent countries ?
The top ten most violent countries in the world are :
1. Afghanistan – 3.55
2. Yemen – 3.39
3. Syria – 3.36
4. Russia – 3.28
5. South Sudan – 3.18
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 3.17
7. Iraq – 3.16
8. Somalia – 3.13
9. Central African Republic – 3.02
10. Sudan – 3.01
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