Ukraine was recognized as the second most dangerous country in the world: who topped the anti-rating

Ukraine was ranked second among the most dangerous countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2025. The ranking has already sparked heated debate, as Ukraine has been recognized as less safe than countries with active civil wars. Here's how the index is compiled and what's really behind the numbers

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Security is one of the key factors when choosing a country to travel, live or relocate to. For this reason, the Global Peace Index, an international ranking that assesses the level of peacefulness and threats in 163 countries, is published annually.

In the 2025 report, Ukraine was ranked second from the bottom, behind only Russia, which immediately sparked a wave of discussion and questions. After all, according to the logic of the ranking, some countries with large-scale internal conflicts look “safer” than Ukraine. To understand the reasons for this assessment, it is important to understand how the Global Peace Index is compiled and how much these figures reflect the real situation.

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How is the Global Peace Index compiled and what factors are taken into account?

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual international ranking compiled by the Institute for Economics & Peace. It covers 163 countries and assesses not only the presence of hostilities, but also the overall level of stability and tension in the country.

The index is based on dozens of indicators, including internal and external armed conflicts, crime and terrorist activity, political stability, the number of refugees and internally displaced persons, military spending, and the size of the armed forces. It is because of this complex methodology that the ranking often causes controversy, as it does not always reflect the real level of security for civilians' daily lives.

To learn more about life in Kyiv during the war, please follow the link.

10 safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2025

In 2025, the ranking of the most peaceful and secure countries was once again topped by countries with stable political systems, low crime rates, and minimal involvement in international conflicts.

The top ten safest countries in the world include:

1. Iceland

2. Ireland

3. New Zealand

4. Austria

5. Switzerland

6. Singapore

7. Portugal

8. Denmark

9. Slovenia

10. Finland

Most of these countries are located in Europe, which is again recognized in the report as the most peaceful region in the world.

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The 10 most dangerous countries in the world in 2025

At the same time, the bottom of the ranking includes countries with a combination of military conflicts, humanitarian crises, and high levels of political instability.

Analysts have identified the ten least peaceful and most dangerous countries in the world as follows:

1. Russia

2. Ukraine

3. Sudan

4. Democratic Republic of the Congo

5. Yemen

6. Afghanistan

7. Syria

8. South Sudan

9. Israel

10. Mali

This neighborhood in the ranking raised a lot of questions, as Ukraine was ranked below countries with active civil wars and large-scale humanitarian disasters.

In our previous article, we talked about the annual Gradus Research study on how Ukrainians assess their lives during the war.

How safe is Ukraine really?

Despite the low position in the Global Peace Index, the real security situation in Ukraine is more differentiated. According to the UN, the main risks and civilian casualties occur in the frontline regions directly bordering the war zone. At the same time, life in the central and western regions is significantly different from the frontline areas.

Ukraine remains a country that can be visited, especially if you follow basic safety rules and choose relatively calm regions. Western and central cities have a well-developed infrastructure, working transportation, food outlets, and tourist routes. That is why more and more foreigners are coming to Ukraine to see its culture, support the local economy, and make sure that even in difficult conditions, life goes on here.

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We remind you! Ukraine has spent about $20 billion on construction procurement related to the reconstruction. Read more about what the funds are used for and what problems analysts have identified.

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