The World’s Most Peaceful Places in 2026

With so much happening in everybody’s lives these past few months, I haven’t had a chance to share the latest findings from the Global Peace Index. It’s not a pretty picture this year—no surprise to any of you. You can browse the full report in the link. But as always, I’m happy to point out the notable pockets of peacefulness around the world, according to the survey.

Iceland is still in first place. It has topped the index every year since the GPI began reporting in 2008, which makes 19 in a row. New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland make up the rest of the top five. Austria, Portugal, Singapore, Finland and Japan complete the top ten. Japan is back on the list after climbing three spots.

For the U.S., the news is harder. The GPI ranked us 134th out of 163 countries, down six places from last year. Political instability, violence, and protests did most of the damage. And worldwide, peace has dropped to its lowest level since the index started.

Closer to home, New England is where the calm is. WalletHub’s 2026 Safest States study looks at crime and also at road safety, financial security, and how ready each state is to deal with emergencies. Vermont came out on top, followed by Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. All six New England states made the top ten.

So, if Reykjavík isn’t in the cards this winter, a snowy weekend in Vermont might do just as well for a stress-free getaway.

Photos (from top): Lake Bled, Slovenia, oopsibookedagain.com; Woodstock, Vermont, bostonuncovered.com.

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