July 7, 2025, 8:39 am | Read time: 10 minutes
The Middle East has been simmering for quite some time. But what exactly is the situation in the individual countries of the region, from the Middle East to Central and South Asia? Are there countries that are becoming safer despite the tense situation? The Global Peace Index (GPI) from the Institute for Economics and Peace provides answers. The Peace Index is published annually and determines where in the world it is currently most peaceful and where it is least peaceful. TRAVELBOOK presents the results for the Middle East, Central, and South Asia.
The news about the events in the Middle East has been overwhelming in recent weeks. As a result, the latest events in Asia are not even included in the current Global Peace Index. However, what we are currently seeing in Israel, Iran, and other countries has been developing for some time. The recent wars are part of a series of unrest, not just in this region. The Global Peace Index 2025 divides Asia into four regions: Asia-Pacific, South Asia, Central Asia with Eastern Europe, and the Middle East together with North Africa (abbreviated as “MENA” for “Middle East and North Africa”). In this text, we look at the results of the Peace Index for the Greater Middle East, including the Middle East, Central, and South Asia.
Overview
Middle East and Its Neighboring Regions in Asia Are the Most Unpeaceful Worldwide
The Middle East and North Africa region ranks last out of eight in the current Global Peace Index—for the tenth consecutive time, it is the least peaceful region worldwide. South Asia ranks just above it, and Central Asia, listed with Eastern Europe in the index, is only in fifth place. All three show downward trends, with peace in South Asia decreasing the most by far.
The Middle East
After being the least peaceful region worldwide for a decade, the Middle East became even less peaceful last year. On average, its peacefulness declined by 0.17 percent. Four of the ten least peaceful countries worldwide are in the region, three of them in the Middle East: Israel, Syria, and Yemen.
The MENA region has deteriorated the most in terms of ongoing conflicts. There were more deaths from conflicts both within and outside its borders and an increase in the conflicts themselves. In the Middle East, the GPI authors attribute the deteriorations to ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Syria and a related increase in regional unrest. Tensions remained extremely high at the beginning of 2025, according to the GPI. The situation has not calmed down yet. However, the militarization area has slightly improved according to the index, despite a significant increase in military spending.
Israel and Gaza
The authors of the Global Peace Index attribute the significant declines in peace in the region to the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7, 2023. Initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israel, the war is ongoing, and countless people are suffering immense hardship. Not least because all humanitarian aid has been blocked from accessing the Gaza Strip, as the GPI reports. This has further exacerbated the already severe humanitarian crisis.
“Recent estimates suggest that more than 63,750 people have been killed in this conflict, although some estimates indicate that the death toll is much higher,” the GPI states. The conflict has plunged the entire region into a crisis. Involved are not only Israel and Palestine but also Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen, albeit to varying degrees.
Qatar Is the Most Peaceful Country in the Middle East
In its region as well as in the broader MENA region, Qatar ranks first. Globally, the state on the Arabian Peninsula ranks 27th. This makes Qatar one of three countries in the region that are among the 50 most peaceful countries worldwide. Nevertheless, Qatar has deteriorated in terms of peacefulness. The Gulf state slipped by 0.99 percent, mainly due to the GPI area of security. The reason is increasing political instability after parliamentary elections in Qatar were abolished through a constitutional referendum.
Saudi Arabia Has Become More Peaceful
According to the index, Saudi Arabia showed the greatest improvements toward more peace last year. This is particularly explained by the enormous, 100 percent reduction in deaths from internal conflicts. However, Saudi Arabia has improved in all three major GPI areas. The kingdom showed significantly more political stability last year after “the government’s Vision 2030 reforms and diplomatic efforts strengthened governance and regional cooperation,” as stated in the GPI. Saudi Arabia has restored relations with Lebanon and Iran and has taken on a mediating role in significant geopolitical tensions in the region.
Syria Deteriorates the Most
Syria experienced the greatest deteriorations in terms of peacefulness within the region, worsening in both security and ongoing conflicts. The country ranks 157th in the world, making it one of the ten least peaceful countries overall. According to the GPI, violent demonstrations in Syria have particularly increased, as has the number of deaths from conflicts within the country. Since 2011, more than 14 million people have fled Syria, and 70 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid. After the government of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024 after 24 years in power, more than a million people have returned to Syria, according to the GPI. In March of this year, a transitional government was sworn in, leading to further conflicts.
These Are the (Un)Safest Countries in the Middle East According to the Global Peace Index 2025
(in parentheses the ranking in the global index of 163 countries)
1. Qatar (27)
2. Kuwait (31)
3. Oman (42)
4. United Arab Emirates (52)
5. Jordan (72)
6. Saudi Arabia (90)
7. Bahrain (100)
8. Lebanon (136)
9. Iran (142)
10. Palestine (145)
11. Iraq (147)
12. Israel (155)
13. Syria (157)
14. Yemen (159)
Central Asia
The dominant issue in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region remains Russia’s war against Ukraine—the main reason for the enormous and second-largest global deterioration of peace in this region. It worsened by 0.77 percent, affecting all three main GPI areas: security, militarization, and ongoing conflicts, with the latter deteriorating the most. Of the ten countries in the region that are entirely or partially in Asia, three deteriorated while seven improved.
Russia itself is the least peaceful country in the world, with Ukraine just one place above it. All further information on the Global Peace Index results for Russia and Ukraine, as well as Eastern Europe, can be found in this text: Where Europe Has Become More Dangerous.
Azerbaijan Increases Peacefulness the Most
Azerbaijan showed the greatest improvements in central Asia last year. The country improved by 5.4 percent, allowing it to jump 18 places, from rank 113 to rank 95. Azerbaijan has become more peaceful for the second consecutive year. The greatest improvements were made in terms of ongoing conflicts, as there were no deaths from internal or external conflicts last year. The Global Peace Index speculates that the reason lies in the end of active hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between 2023 and 2024. However, Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh remain controversial according to the GPI authors. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is still not resolved, which the index also explains in terms of the country’s deterioration in the militarization area. Military spending rose to 4.9 percent of GDP in 2024, and the indicator for nuclear and heavy weapons also worsened.
These Are the (Un)Safest Countries in Central Asia According to the Global Peace Index 2025
(in parentheses the ranking in the global index of 163 countries)
1. Kazakhstan (56)
2. Armenia (58)
3. Uzbekistan (67)
4. Kyrgyzstan (78)
5. Tajikistan (79)
6. Turkmenistan (87)
7. Azerbaijan (95)
8. Georgia (109)
9. Turkey (146)
10. Russia (163)
Where the Asia-Pacific Region Is Safe and Where It Becomes More Dangerous
Where Europe Has Become More Dangerous
Where South America Remains Dangerous–and Where It’s Becoming Safer
South Asia
South Asia is the second least peaceful region in the world. Here, peacefulness has further deteriorated over the past year, in all three areas. Peace in southern Asia has particularly declined in terms of ongoing conflicts, which worsened by 4.9 percent.
Afghanistan Remains the Most Unpeaceful Country in the Region
Since the beginning of the index, Afghanistan has held the position of the least peaceful country in its region, and for a long time, even worldwide. Currently, the country ranks fifth among the least peaceful countries in the world. In terms of security, it ranks last. Afghanistan’s situation worsened again last year, by 0.28 percent. “Afghanistan is the only country in the South Asia region to receive the worst possible rating for the indicators of access to small arms, violent crime, political instability, political terror scale, refugees and internally displaced persons, and military spending (as a percentage of GDP),” the current GPI states. Although the level of conflict in the country has decreased since the Taliban took power, their poor governance and the humanitarian crisis in the country are fueling political unrest, according to the index.
Nepal Improves the Most in South Asia
Nepal made the greatest progress in terms of peacefulness in southern Asia last year. The country particularly improved in terms of militarization, with declining arms import numbers and increased funding for UN peacekeeping. Additionally, there was an improvement in the terrorism indicator, which the GPI authors attribute to the country’s increased efforts, partly in collaboration with India, in combating terrorism.
Bangladesh Deteriorates the Most
Bangladesh, on the other hand, showed significant setbacks in terms of peace last year. The country experienced a 13 percent decline, not only the largest deterioration in South Asia but also worldwide. Ongoing internal conflicts, which led to 436 deaths, stand out. In comparison, there were twelve the previous year. The GPI attributes the escalation within the country to widespread student protests against a government-imposed employment quota. These continued despite a Supreme Court ruling that reduced the quotas. The indicators of violent crime and political instability also increased significantly, according to the index. Additionally, there was an escalation of attacks on minorities, with 2,010 incidents reported in August 2024 alone.
“Bangladesh’s political stability deteriorated in 2024 due to the increasing risk of social unrest, the fragmentation of the opposition, and the harsh crackdown by security forces,” the GPI summarizes. Around 1,400 people died as a result of clashes between security forces and political groups. Allegations of systematic extrajudicial killings also surfaced, further damaging the reputation of law enforcement. Weeks of street protests, the opposition’s work stoppage, and the split of the ruling coalition eventually led to the dismissal of the prime minister and the appointment of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as caretaker of a transitional government. He now has the task of pacifying the parties and student groups, stabilizing the economy, and restoring confidence in a partisan election commission. Not an easy task, especially given the new risk of mass protests against high living costs and the lack of initiative from the transitional government, as well as uncertainty about the exact timing of the elections.
India Becomes More Peaceful
South Asia’s largest country, India, showed steps toward more peace last year. The world’s most populous country improved by 0.58 percent. For example, political stability improved slightly after last year’s parliamentary elections. According to the GPI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term and the stability of the National Democratic Alliance, or NDA, coalition reduce the risk of social unrest. The troop withdrawal with China has also reduced geopolitical tensions.
At the same time, tensions between India and Pakistan have increased significantly. In April 2025, a terrorist attack in the disputed Kashmir region killed 25 Indian tourists. Although tensions in the area have been high since an uprising began in 1989, attacks have rarely targeted civilians, according to the GPI.
These Are the (Un)Safest Countries in South Asia According to the Global Peace Index 2025
(in parentheses the ranking in the global index of 163 countries)
1. Bhutan (21)
2. Nepal (76)
3. Sri Lanka (97)
4. India (115)
5. Bangladesh (123)
6. Pakistan (144)
7. Afghanistan (158)