According to the latest edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2025, Croatia ranked 19th and Slovenia 9th among a total of 163 analyzed countries, with both countries confirming their status as the most peaceful and safest countries in the region.

The report, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, represents the world's most comprehensive measurement of security and stability, based on 23 indicators covering the level of societal safety, the presence of conflict, and the degree of militarization.

Croatia's position: The result of continuous stability

Croatia maintained its high position thanks to a low crime rate, political stability, minimal involvement in international conflicts, and moderate military spending. Particularly positively rated were the perception of crime and the impact of terrorism, along with the continuation of the improvement trend. In the segment “societal safety and citizen security,” Croatia is in the upper part of the ranking, which includes a low rate of violent incidents, a low incarceration rate, and stable interethnic and political relations.

The most peaceful countries in the world according to GPI 2025

At the top of the ranking remains Iceland, which has held the status of the safest country in the world since 2008. It is followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland. The top twenty countries according to GPI 2025 are:

1. Iceland (1.095)
2. Ireland (1.260)
3. New Zealand (1.282)
4. Austria (1.294)
5. Switzerland (1.294)
6. Singapore (1.357)
7. Portugal (1.371)
8. Denmark (1.393)
9. Slovenia (1.409)
10. Finland (1.420)
11. Czech Republic (1.435)
12. Japan (1.440)
13. Malaysia (1.469)
14. Netherlands (1.491)
15. Canada (1.491)
16. Belgium (1.492)
17. Hungary (1.500)
18. Australia (1.505)
19. Croatia (1.519)
20. Germany (1.533)

You can find the list of other countries at the link.

Slovenia as a regional leader

Slovenia is the highest-ranked country in Central and Southeastern Europe, in 9th place on the global ranking. This result is based on a low rate of violent crime, the effectiveness of institutions, high trust in government and public services, and political stability. Slovenia also records good scores in the domain of militarization, thanks to low military spending and the absence of international military engagements.

Positions of other countries in the region

• Bulgaria - 29th place (1.610)
• Montenegro - 34th place (1.685)
• North Macedonia - 51st place (1.799)
• Albania - 52nd place (1.812
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 59th place (1.895)
• Kosovo - 63rd place (1.908)
• Serbia - 64th place (1.914)

Why are Serbia, BiH, and Kosovo significantly lower?

Despite their geographic proximity, Serbia (64th place), Bosnia and Herzegovina (59th place), and Kosovo (63rd place) record significantly worse results. The reasons include political polarization, lower trust in institutions, interethnic tensions, occasional security incidents, and political instability. The presence of international military contingents, unresolved territorial disputes, and weaker judicial efficiency further worsen the perception of security. Kosovo continues to face challenges of international recognition and tensions in the north, while in BiH long-term institutional dysfunction and divisive rhetoric negatively affect the perception of peace. Serbia, although more stable, faces foreign policy balancing and internal political tensions.