Belgium among the world’s 20 safest countries in 2025

Belgium has ranked among the world’s 20 safest countries in 2025, according to the latest edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI), as reported by The Brussels Times.

Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the Global Peace Index is widely regarded as the leading international benchmark for measuring peacefulness. The index provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of trends in peace, its economic value, and the conditions that support peaceful societies. It covers 99.7 per cent of the world’s population and is based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators drawn from respected international sources.

Peace is assessed across three core domains: societal safety and security; the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict; and the degree of militarisation.

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In the 2025 rankings, Belgium placed 16th worldwide, with an overall score of 1.492 out of 5. Under the GPI methodology, lower scores indicate higher levels of peace. Belgium’s position reflects strong performance on several indicators, including low homicide and incarceration rates and a relatively low intensity of internal conflict.

Relations with neighbouring countries were rated particularly highly, receiving the top possible score of 1 out of 5. Belgium also scored well on general safety and security, with a rating of 1.6. By contrast, the country performed less strongly on access to small arms and light weapons, where it received a score of 3.

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At the top of the index, Iceland once again ranked as the world’s most peaceful country, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria and Switzerland. Europe continued to dominate the upper end of the table, with 14 European countries appearing in the global top 20.

Despite Belgium’s strong showing, the broader findings of the 2025 Global Peace Index point to a markedly deteriorating global context. The report identifies a continuing decline in worldwide peacefulness, with many of the key indicators that historically precede major conflicts now higher than at any point since the Second World War. Conflict-related deaths are increasing, geopolitical tensions are accelerating, and the growing assertiveness of middle powers is contributing to what the authors describe as the “Great Fragmentation”.

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