Russia ranked the world’s least peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2025 — here’s what led to the fall

Russia ranks last on the Global Peace Index 2025 as conflict, unrest and security risks intensify.

At a time when global stability is already under severe strain, the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) has delivered one of its starkest findings yet: Russia has been ranked the least peaceful country in the world for the first time since the index was launched.

Released by the Institute for Economics & Peace, the annual report assesses 163 countries using 23 indicators across three key domains—Ongoing Conflict, Safety and Security, and Militarisation. The 2025 edition paints a grim picture, with the world witnessing more active state-based conflicts than at any point since World War II.

Against this backdrop, Russia’s sharp deterioration stands out.

Russia is now ranked 163rd overall, making it the least peaceful nation globally in 2025. Its overall peacefulness score deteriorated by 6.5% over the past year, marking the third-largest decline worldwide.

The primary driver of this fall remains the ongoing war with Ukraine, which continues to destabilise the region and spill beyond borders. According to the GPI, Russia recorded the second-largest deterioration in its region, behind Ukraine.

On the Ongoing Conflict domain, Russia ranked last, with this category alone deteriorating by 13.4%. The Safety and Security domain also worsened significantly, falling by 4.6%.

One of the most significant developments influencing Russia’s ranking was the August 2024 Kursk offensive, launched by Ukrainian forces. This marked the first major combat operation inside Russian territory since the war began.

As a result:

• The deaths from internal conflict indicator worsened by over 3,600%.
• The internal conflicts fought indicator deteriorated sharply.
• Civilian insecurity within Russia increased for the first time at scale.

The GPI notes that this escalation fundamentally changed the security dynamics inside Russia, pushing its peacefulness indicators to historic lows.

Russia also recorded notable declines in domestic safety and civil stability. One key factor was a deterioration in the violent demonstrations indicator.

In January 2024, large-scale protests erupted in Bashkortostan following the arrest and imprisonment of a local indigenous activist. Authorities responded aggressively, using tear gas and batons to disperse crowds. The Global Peace Index identifies this as the largest protest since the anti-war demonstrations of 2022, further highlighting rising internal unrest.

The terrorism impact indicator also deteriorated sharply. In March 2024, Russia experienced the fourth deadliest terrorist attack globally.

Members of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow, opening fire on civilians and detonating explosives. The assault caused a roof collapse and large fire, killing 133 people and injuring 140 others. The incident significantly worsened Russia’s safety and security score.

While Russia’s Militarisation domain showed a marginal improvement, this was attributed solely to a decline in weapons exports, not reduced military capacity or activity. Analysts note that this improvement did little to offset the severe deteriorations in conflict intensity and civilian safety.

The 2025 Global Peace Index underscores a troubling global trend:

• 17 countries recorded more than 1,000 conflict-related deaths last year.
• 18 additional nations saw over 100 fatalities.

Many of the ten least peaceful countries share common traits: ongoing wars, weak governance, high militarisation, humanitarian crises, and foreign intervention.

Russia’s position at the bottom reflects what the report describes as prolonged aggression, elevated state violence, and internationalised conflict, making it a central destabilising force in global security today.

For the first time, Russia has been officially ranked the least peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2025. Ongoing war with Ukraine, escalating internal conflict, deadly terrorist attacks, and rising civil unrest have combined to push the country to the lowest position on the index.

As global peace continues to erode, the GPI’s findings serve as a stark reminder of how prolonged conflict—both external and internal—can rapidly unravel national stability.

Due to the ongoing Ukraine war, rising internal conflict, violent protests, and a deadly terrorist attack in 2024.

The Institute for Economics & Peace publishes the Global Peace Index annually.

The index evaluates 163 countries using 23 peace and security indicators.

It marked the first major fighting inside Russia since the war began, sharply increasing internal conflict deaths.

Only militarisation improved slightly, due to reduced weapons exports.

It reflects a wider global decline in peace driven by prolonged conflicts and instability.