List of 10 Most Dangerous Countries in the World [Updated 2025]

According to the Global Peace Index 2025 released by the Institute for Economics & Peace, the world has entered one of its most turbulent periods in recent history. The latest report reveals that global peacefulness has declined for the twelfth time in the past sixteen years, driven by escalating conflicts, political polarisation, and surging military expenditures. This year's report describes a worrying trend of "Great Fragmentation," where geopolitical rifts, internal instability, and fragile governance are fuelling widespread unrest. Alarmingly, conflict-related deaths have reached their highest point since World War II. For the first time, Russia has overtaken other war-torn nations to rank as the least peaceful country in the world. These developments underline a harsh reality: violence is spreading, peace is weakening, and several regions are now facing extreme levels of danger, as reflected in the top 10 most dangerous countries of 2025.

Presented below is a compilation of the world's most dangerous countries:

List of 10 Most Dangerous Countries in the World [Updated 2025]

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Russia is the most dangerous country in the world in 2025 

The Global Peace Index (GPI) encompasses 163 nations, representing an impressive 99.7 per cent of the global population. This assessment employs a curated set of 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators sourced from authorities around the world. The GPI serves as a tool for gauging the prevailing state of peace, examining three distinct domains:

1. The level of societal Safety and Security
2. Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict
3. The degree by which it is militarized.

It is also important to note that the global peace index is predicated on eight key factors also known as the Pillars Of Positive Peace:

1. Well-functioning government.
2. Free flow of information.
3. Sound Business environment.
4. High levels of human capital
5. Acceptance of the rights of others.
6. Low levels of corruption
7. Good relations with neighbours.
8. Equitable distribution of resources.

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10 Most Dangerous Countries In The World

Here is a closer look at the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023.

1: Russia – GPI Score: 3.441

Source: Reddit

Russia continues to face international sanctions and internal instability due to its prolonged war in Ukraine. Rising political suppression, declining civil liberties, and ongoing military conflicts have made the country volatile, with safety risks both for citizens and outsiders. Tensions with the West remain dangerously high.

2. Ukraine – GPI Score: 3.434

Source: The NewYork Times

Ukraine’s safety remains deeply compromised due to the ongoing war with Russia. Frequent missile strikes, displaced populations, and destruction of infrastructure have devastated daily life. Despite global support and resilience, the security situation is dire, especially near frontlines and contested regions.

3. Sudan – GPI Score: 3.323

Source: The NewYork Times

Sudan is engulfed in a brutal civil conflict between military factions, leading to widespread chaos. Civilians face violence, displacement, and food shortages. With fragile governance and humanitarian crises mounting, the country’s internal security continues to unravel, making it one of the most unstable places in the world.

4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) – GPI Score: 3.292

Source: Medair

Armed militias, ethnic violence, and illegal mining plague the DRC. Millions are caught in cycles of conflict and displacement. The state struggles to assert control over vast regions, leading to lawlessness, insecurity, and persistent humanitarian challenges. Peace still feels like a distant dream here.

5. Yemen – GPI Score: 3.262

Source: The New York Times

Years of civil war have left Yemen devastated. While major battles have slowed, the country remains on edge with periodic violence and humanitarian collapse. Famine, disease, and displacement haunt daily life. Foreign interventions have added layers of complexity to an already dire situation.

6. Afghanistan – GPI Score: 3.229

Source: The Guardian

After the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains isolated and volatile. Security incidents, restrictions on women, and economic hardships define life under the new regime. The country faces threats from internal groups like ISIS-K, with little hope for stability in the near term.

7. Syria – GPI Score: 3.184

Source: The Guardian

Though less violent than in peak war years, Syria remains fractured. The Assad regime holds power with outside support, but rebel zones, foreign military presence, and extremist elements keep the country unstable. Rebuilding seems far off as millions still live as refugees or in war-torn conditions.

8. South Sudan – GPI Score: 3.117

Source: Mery Corps

The world’s youngest country is still trying to escape its violent birth. Ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and fragile peace deals frequently erupt into bloodshed. Hunger and displacement are widespread, and governance remains weak. Hopes for peace flicker but often fade under recurring violence.

9. Israel – GPI Score: 3.108

Source: aljazeera

Recent conflicts, especially in Gaza, have significantly worsened Israel’s peace score. Civil unrest, regional tensions, and persistent threats of war have raised safety concerns. While daily life in parts of Israel may seem normal, the ongoing conflict deeply impacts the country's overall stability and security.

10. Mali – GPI Score: 3.061

Source: BBC

Mali is grappling with terrorism, political coups, and ethnic conflict. After the military seized power, instability grew. Armed groups control large swathes of territory, especially in the north. Despite international efforts, the threat of violence looms large for communities across this once-peaceful nation.

Conclusion

The prevailing dearth of security has cast a dark shadow over the daily lives of citizens, rendering even the most routine activities fraught with peril and anxiety.

The GPI has shed light on the world's most dangerous countries as they find themselves at the forefront of this distressing list, where violence, political turbulence, and humanitarian crisis persistently afflict their populations time and again.

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