Afghanistan has been ranked as the seventh least peaceful country in the world in the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), remaining near the bottom of the global ranking that measures levels of peace, security, conflict, and militarization across 163 countries and territories.

The annual report, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, placed Afghanistan 157th out of 163 countries. Only South Sudan, Israel, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Russia ranked lower.

According to the report, Afghanistan’s overall peace score deteriorated by 0.5 percent over the past year, despite modest improvements in several areas. The country recorded a 1.5 percent improvement in safety and security indicators, while political instability improved by 10 percent.

The report attributed these gains largely to the Islamic Emirate’s consolidation of control over political institutions and security structures, as well as a decline in organized opposition activity. However, it cautioned that the concentration of power, political restrictions, and Afghanistan’s ongoing international isolation could pose challenges to long-term stability.

At the same time, the index recorded a 1.9 percent deterioration in Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict score. Deaths linked to external conflicts increased by 19.2 percent, a trend the report associated with clashes and rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The findings also showed that Afghanistan remains the least peaceful country in South Asia.

Elsewhere in the region, Sri Lanka registered the strongest improvement, with its peace score rising by 2.3 percent and its global ranking improving to 67th place.

Globally, the report found that peacefulness has declined for the 12th consecutive year. Of the 163 countries assessed, 99 experienced a deterioration in peace, while 62 recorded improvements. The index also noted that 119 countries are now less peaceful than they were in 2008.

The Global Peace Index identified rising armed conflicts, intensifying competition among major powers, and the spread of emerging military technologies, including artificial intelligence-based systems, as major factors contributing to the global decline in peace.

Despite limited improvements in some domestic indicators, the report concluded that Afghanistan continues to face significant and enduring challenges to achieving lasting peace and stability.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has consistently maintained that security is ensured across the country and has emphasized that Afghan territory will not be used against any other nation, particularly neighboring countries.