The full GPI 2026 report and interactive map are available online, providing context on methodology and the IEP.

Sudan is cited as a prime example of interlinked regional conflicts, with about 150,000 killed and over 12 million displaced, where illicit economies like gold mining fund ongoing fighting.

There are significant potential economic savings from diplomacy, with estimates suggesting up to US$2.2 trillion if Iran-related conflicts can be prevented or resolved through peacebuilding.

Iran’s war and regional proxy dynamics act as major multipliers of instability, with early macro risks including a global GDP hit around 0.6% and food production and debt pressures for fragile economies.

Regionally, Europe remains the most peaceful, while South Asia shows the sharpest deterioration; the US drops to 134th in peacefulness amid domestic instability, and major flashpoints include Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, and the DRC.

We’re seeing a global spike in violence and instability: by 2025 the worldwide economic cost of violence reached US$21.81 trillion, roughly 10.5% of world GDP, with 119 countries less peaceful than in 2007 and 99 nations deteriorating over the past year.

The era of the 'Great Fragmentation' is taking hold as rising middle powers fill power vacuums left by retreating traditional powers, weakening multilateral institutions and global peace mechanisms.

External conflicts surged to historic levels, nearly doubling since 2008 and causing about 181,000 fatalities in 2025, while internal conflicts rose sixfold since 2007.

Policy guidance from Steve Killelea stresses that governance is lagging behind rapid geopolitics and tech advances, risking more humanitarian costs and highlighting potential economic gains from effective diplomacy.

The report warns that governance systems are falling behind technological change, which could intensify internationalized and tech-driven warfare and humanitarian costs.

Drones and AI-enabled warfare have surged, with drone attacks up over 11,500% since 2018 and AI cutting targeting review times to seconds, fueling concerns about meaningful human oversight in lethal decisions.

Overall, technology is accelerating warfare: AI-enabled targeting can compress decision times to seconds, enabling autonomous or near-autonomous strikes and raising governance questions in conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine.