Iceland tops the ranking, according to the latest Global Peace Index.
Finland’s modest improvement by a notch to ninth place places it ahead of Denmark (11th), Norway (33rd) and Sweden (40th). Estonia ranks 25th.
The index, compiled annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace, assesses internal and external conflict, as well as societal safety.
Iceland retained its position as the world’s most peaceful country for 19 consecutive years. Behind it were New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, and Singapore.
The United States fell six places from a year earlier to 134th, ranking just behind Venezuela and close to Iran (144th), a country it is currently at war with. Russia ranks last out of 163 countries, preceded by Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and Israel.
Overall, the report suggests global peace has continued to deteriorate. The number of active state-based conflicts rose to 61, the highest level since the Second World War.
The institute also raises concerns that drones are becoming a defining weapon of modern warfare.
“For the first time in history, machines are making life-and-death decisions faster than humans can review them,” the report notes.
