Iceland has been named the world's most peaceful country for 19 years. Here's what sets it apart.

Iceland ranked No. 1 on the Global Peace Index 2026. ssavelyeva1/Shutterstock The Institute for Economics & Peace released its annual Global Peace Index last month. Iceland topped the list for the 19th consecutive year, beating New Zealand and Switzerland. The country doesn't have a traditional military and enjoys political and social stability. Every country is home to crime and conflict, but as indicated by the Institute for Economics & Peace's 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), the extent of…