Fears of a potential global conflict have intensified following a series of airstrikes across the Middle East.
The region entered its third day of hostilities after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran continued on Saturday, February 28. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes across several countries following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports The Mirror.
These airstrikes coincided with the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, adding to global tensions.
With conflicts escalating, questions are being raised about which countries might be safest to flee to in the event of a worldwide war, reports The Mirror.
The Express has examined the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) to identify nations considered the most peaceful, and therefore potentially safest, in a large-scale conflict.
The GPI covers 99.7% of the world’s population and is calculated “using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources.”
It measures peace across three areas: societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the level of militarisation, reports The Mirror.
Iceland
Iceland secured first place in the most recent rankings.
The country has never participated in a full-scale war or invasion.
Its geographic isolation offers a potential advantage in the event of widespread conflict.
Iceland has no military but is a member of NATO, meaning it is covered under the alliance’s Article 5 collective defence clause: an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
While this theoretically could undermine Iceland’s status as a safe haven, the country is unlikely to be a key target due to its lack of a military presence, reports The Mirror.
Ireland
Ireland ranked second in the 2025 GPI.
The nation maintains a policy of military neutrality, supported by a small defence force.
It is generally regarded as very safe in the event of international conflict, reports The Mirror.
Other countries
Other nations in the top 10 of the 2025 GPI include Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland.
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