Global Peace Index reports record conflicts and rising economic costs of violence

The 2026 Global Peace Index indicates a twelfth consecutive year of declining global peacefulness, with state-based conflicts reaching their highest number since World War II. The report highlights significant geopolitical shifts, the increasing role of middle powers, and advancements in warfare technology, including a rise in drone attacks. Furthermore, the economic burden of violence globally has reached a record high, impacting a substantial portion of the world's GDP and threatening future food security.