Jamaica Tops Caribbean Peace Rankings

Jamaica ranks as the Caribbean’s most peaceful nation and third overall in North and Central America, behind only Canada and Costa Rica, according to the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI). The island-nation scored 1.919, ahead of Trinidad & Tobago and Panama.

The GPI, which measures safety, conflict, and militarization, shows regional peacefulness declined 2 percent over the past year, with 10 of 14 countries worsening. Worsening conflict drove the drop; militarization was the sole improver.

Globally, peacefulness fell for the 12th consecutive year, with 99 countries deteriorating versus 62 improving. Major conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar persist, while India-Pakistan tensions flared. Military spending hit a record high, and forced displacement exceeds 117 million.

Haiti remained the region’s least peaceful nation (142nd globally), as gang violence expanded. The U.S. fell to 134th globally, hurt by political violence and instability. Mexico and Honduras showed the largest gains, though Mexico stays second-lowest in the region.

Despite global and regional backsliding, Jamaica’s third-place finish underscores its relative stability in an increasingly turbulent hemisphere.