The United States has been ranked among the least peaceful countries in the world, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), fueling debate online.
The GPI, which assesses levels of crime, conflict, political stability, and military spending in over 160 countries, placed the US at 128th out of 163 nations. This marks a significant decline from 2012, when the country ranked 88th out of 153.
Analysts point to violent demonstrations, political unrest, high levels of weapons imports, and increased military expenditure.
The decline in peace indicators comes alongside a downturn in tourism. A Congressional Research Service report revealed that international arrivals at US borders dropped by 2.4 percent in 2024. The dip has been partly attributed to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which triggered a Canadian travel boycott and negatively affected several US states.
Trump’s broader economic policies have also led to the imposition of tariffs on countries such as Colombia, South Africa, China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.
Meanwhile, changes to visa requirements may further complicate travel. Nonimmigrant visa applicants are now required to attend in-person interviews at US embassies or consulates and provide social media handles from the past five years.
