Sri Lanka has recorded the highest improvement in peacefulness among South Asian nations, according to the 20th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026 published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
According to the latest rankings, Sri Lanka has advanced to 67th place globally, making it the second most peaceful country in South Asia after Bhutan.
The country was ranked 97th among 163 countries in the 2025 index, marking a significant improvement over the past year.
Sri Lanka’s progress comes at a time when global peacefulness has continued to decline, with the report noting a 0.7 percent deterioration in overall global peace and the 12th consecutive year of worsening global peace levels.
According to the report, Sri Lanka’s overall peace score improved by 2.3 percent during the past year.
Key factors contributing to this improvement include:
- Militarization: Improved by 6.4 percent.
- Contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions: Increased by 40.8 percent.
- Safety and Security: Improved by 1.8 percent, supported in part by a 25 percent reduction in political instability.
The report notes that peace has deteriorated globally at least 15 times during the past 18 years and that 119 countries are currently less peaceful than they were when the index was first launched in 2008.
While the 2026 index incorporates data on factors such as relations with neighbouring countries up to March 2026, the report notes that the full impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict involving Iran is not yet reflected in this year’s rankings, as most indicators are based on data available up to December 2025.
According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, peace levels deteriorated in 99 countries during the past year, while only 62 countries recorded improvements.
Sri Lanka’s rise in the rankings is being viewed as a notable achievement amid a broader global trend of declining peace and increasing geopolitical instability.
