Bangladesh ranks as the fourth most peaceful country in South Asia

Bangladesh has ranked as the fourth most peaceful country in South Asia, placing ahead of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026.

Released on 9 June by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the index categorises Bangladesh's level of peace as "medium". The country ranked 117th out of 163 countries with a score of 2.226 out of 5.

The 20th edition of the GPI ranks 163 independent states and territories covering 99.7% of the world's population. 

It assesses peace using 23 indicators across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarisation. A lower score indicates higher levels of peace.

Bangladesh scored 2.579 in societal safety and security, 2.237 in ongoing conflict, and 1.615 in militarisation.

In South Asia, Bhutan retained its position as the most peaceful country, ranking 16th globally and remaining the only country in the region classified as having a "high" level of peace.

Sri Lanka ranked second in the region at 67th globally, followed by Nepal at 111th. India placed fifth in South Asia and 127th globally, classified under a low level of peace due to deterioration in its ongoing conflict indicators. Pakistan and Afghanistan ranked 152nd and 157th respectively, remaining the least peaceful in the region.

The report noted that South Asia recorded the steepest regional deterioration in peacefulness in 2026, with an average decline of 2.3%. The deterioration was driven mainly by the ongoing conflict domain, which worsened by 7.1%, reflecting rising internal instability and cross-border tensions.

Globally, Iceland remained the most peaceful country for the 19th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland. 

Russia was ranked the least peaceful country for the first time, followed by Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and Israel.

The report said global peacefulness declined by 0.7% over the past year, marking the 12th consecutive annual deterioration. Of the 163 countries assessed, 99 recorded declines while 62 improved.

The GPI also highlighted Bangladesh's vulnerability to the Iran conflict, identifying it as an export-exposed energy importer. It said potential economic shocks could be transmitted through higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) costs and weaker global demand.

Bangladesh was flagged as facing high risks in energy import dependency, food security and ecological threats, while maintaining relatively low fiscal risk.

In a severe disruption scenario, the report estimated that Bangladesh's energy import costs could rise by 1.5% to 2.5% of GDP if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged disruption. 

It also warned that global GDP could contract by 0.6% in the first year under extreme conditions, with import-dependent economies in South Asia facing the sharpest impact.