Nearly 20 African countries, including Morocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast, rank ahead of France in the latest Global Peace Index (GPI), which measures levels of peace and security across the world.
Published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), the 2026 edition evaluates 163 countries and territories based on 23 indicators, including societal safety, internal and external conflicts, and military involvement. According to the ranking, France has fallen sharply, moving from 74th place last year to 99th place in 2026, placing it behind several African nations.
African countries ahead of France
Among the African countries ranked higher than France, Equatorial Guinea occupies the best position at 38th worldwide, followed by:
- The Gambia – 56th
- Madagascar – 59th
- Namibia – 63rd
- Morocco – 65th
- Sierra Leone – 74th
- Senegal – 75th
- Ghana – 76th
- Tunisia – 77th
- Angola – 78th
- Zambia – 82nd
- Malawi – 83rd
Other African countries ranked above France include Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Tanzania and Ivory Coast.
Despite these rankings, experts urge caution when interpreting the results. The GPI measures peace indicators that go beyond everyday perceptions of security, including political stability, conflict involvement and military spending.
The report notes that global peace continued to deteriorate, with the world becoming less peaceful for the 15th time in 18 years. The average level of peace declined by 0.7% compared with the previous year, marking the 12th consecutive year of global deterioration. Researchers attribute this decline to the increase in conflicts, rising geopolitical tensions and growing military expenditure in several regions.
Iceland remains the world’s safest country
At the top of the ranking, Iceland maintained its position as the world’s most peaceful country for the 18th consecutive year. It is followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria and Switzerland. At the bottom of the index, Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen remain among the countries facing the highest levels of instability. Covering more than 99% of the global population, the Global Peace Index remains one of the leading international references for assessing peace and security worldwide.
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