This Nordic Country Has Been Voted The Most Peaceful Country In The World

This isolated Nordic country, although covered in volcanoes, still remains a peaceful place.

According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland continues to stay at the top of the list for the most peaceful country in the world. The Global Peace Index makes this decision based on 23 different indicators, both qualitative and quantitative, ranking 163 nations. While this may come as a small surprise to some, factors such as having no border nations and a relatively homogenous population keep Iceland at the top of the list.

Another factor about Iceland that makes it a peaceful nation is its tiny population. While an island the size of Texas inevitably has a small population, some visitors don’t realize exactly how small it is, and what implications that can have. As of last year, the population of Iceland was 334,000. That’s about the same as the city of Leicester in the UK or Tampa in Florida.

And while the population may be growing, there will always be the sensation that very few people live here, and that everyone knows everyone. In Iceland, wealth is distributed evenly, which is another contributing factor to a peaceful nation. Iceland even had the lowest level of income inequality within Europe in 2016.

The ranking is based on indications in three categories: social safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflicts and the level of militarization. The lower the score, the higher level of peace. Other countries that also continue to rank as peaceful include New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark. Since Iceland has no military and the police only recently began carrying arms in their vehicles, its ranking was in no question in some categories.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.