Muscat – Oman dropped 18 places to 60th in the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), with rising regional tensions and conflicts contributing to the sultanate’s lower ranking despite remaining among the three most peaceful countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), the 20th edition of the index assesses 163 countries and territories using 23 indicators covering societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarisation.

Oman ranked third in the MENA region and third among GCC countries, behind Qatar, which placed 31st globally, and Kuwait at 49th. The UAE ranked 73rd, Saudi Arabia 95th and Bahrain 108th. All the GCC countries saw their rankings decline, ranging from four to 18 places.

According to the report, Oman’s overall peace score deteriorated by 8.3% over the past year, the largest decline recorded in the region. The report attributed the fall primarily to a 28.7% deterioration in the ‘Ongoing conflict’ criterion.

The IEP said there was a decline for Oman in the neighbouring countries relations indicator, too, reflecting heightened regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and Yemen. The report cited the seizure of a border crossing in Yemen’s Mahra province by Southern Transitional Council forces in late 2025 as a factor that heightened security concerns for Oman.

Despite the decline, Oman remained one of the region’s highest-ranked countries, ahead of Morocco (65th), Jordan (68th) and the UAE.

The report said the MENA region remained the least peaceful in the world, with its average score deteriorating by 0.5%, though the impact of the Iran war that started in February 2026 was mostly uncaptured in the report as it started after the end of the reporting period.

Eleven of the 20 countries in the region deteriorated, eight improved, and one was unchanged. The Ongoing Conflict criterion recorded the largest change at the regional level, deteriorating by 7.5%, driven in large part by a sharp increase in the neighbouring countries relations indicator across several Gulf states as the conflict in Iran intensified and regional tensions escalated.

Globally, peacefulness declined for the 12th consecutive year, with the average score worsening by 0.7%. The report found that 99 countries recorded a decline in peacefulness, while 62 improved.

The index noted there are now more active state-based conflicts than at any time since the end of the Second World War, while global military expenditure has risen for a tenth consecutive year. It also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence and drones in warfare, with drone attacks increasing by around 11,500% between 2018 and 2025, underscoring the changing nature of modern conflict.