Photo: Damien du Toit · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 10 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Africa: Peace & Security
Is a country at peace, and how heavily armed is it?
South Africa is placed joint 72nd of 177 countries on peace & security in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Political Stability and Absence of Violence -0.382 (2025); Physical Violence Index 0.849 (2025).
Share
Peace & Security
joint72nd
of 177 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- -0.382Political Stability and Absence of Violence, 2025Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
- 0.849Physical Violence Index, 2025Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
- -0.661Political Violence by Non-State Actors, 2025Original latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +4); higher = more violence
- 67.18Global Militarisation Index, 2023GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place South Africa on peace & security — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Political Stability and Absence of Violence
World Bank Group
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
-0.382
Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
South Africa: -0.382. Across the 211 countries in this edition, values run from -2.506 (Yemen) to 1.563 (Andorra); the world median is 0.171.
- World median
- 0.171
- Best in Southern Africa
- 1.079 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 1.079 · Lesotho -0.011 · Mozambique -1.656 · Namibia 0.741 · Eswatini -0.571 · Zimbabwe -0.872
Key 2 of 4
Physical Violence Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.849
Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Higher is better
South Africa: 0.849. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.053 (North Korea) to 0.989 (Sweden); the world median is 0.79.
- World median
- 0.79
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.88 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 0.873 · Lesotho 0.839 · Mozambique 0.314 · Namibia 0.88 · Eswatini 0.132 · Zimbabwe 0.17
Key 3 of 4
Political Violence by Non-State Actors
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
-0.661
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +4); higher = more violence
Lower is better
South Africa: -0.661. Across the 171 countries in this edition, values run from -3.182 (Luxembourg) to 3.375 (Myanmar); the world median is -0.661.
- World median
- -0.661
- Best in Southern Africa
- -2.75 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana -2.227 · Lesotho -0.891 · Mozambique 1.708 · Namibia -2.75 · Eswatini -0.588 · Zimbabwe 0.253
Key 4 of 4
Global Militarisation Index
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY
67.18
GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
Lower is better
Ranked 118th of 149 by BICC
South Africa: 67.18. Across the 149 countries in this edition, values run from 3.512 (Haiti) to 351.09 (Ukraine); the world median is 100.66.
- World median
- 100.66
- Best in Southern Africa
- 59.42 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 156.68 · Lesotho 59.42 · Mozambique 83.4 · Namibia 136.44 · Eswatini 69.82 · Zimbabwe 65.42
02Over time
Which way South Africa is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Political Stability and Absence of Violence
Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from -0.313 in 2000 to -0.382 in 2025; the world median went from -0.021 to 0.171.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 -0.38168 0.1706 2024 -0.48269 0.1385 2023 -0.63080 0.1269 2022 -0.67676 0.0991 2021 -0.76763 0.0836 2020 -0.25494 0.0582 2019 -0.33943 0.0678 2018 -0.30157 0.1121 2017 -0.38810 0.0177 2016 -0.33875 -0.0161 2015 -0.31136 0.0464 2014 -0.22425 0.0366 2013 -0.25167 -0.0060 2012 -0.10726 0.0470 2011 -0.03162 -0.0034 2010 -0.03892 0.0100 2009 -0.05191 0.1579 2008 -0.00804 0.0744 2007 0.17982 0.1154 2006 -0.00861 0.0812 2005 -0.01511 0.0308 2004 -0.00796 -0.0307 2003 -0.24199 0.0683 2002 -0.33516 -0.0154 2000 -0.31280 -0.0212 Physical Violence Index
Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 0.83 in 2000 to 0.849 in 2025; the world median went from 0.728 to 0.79.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 0.849 0.7900 2024 0.849 0.7850 2023 0.806 0.7885 2022 0.807 0.8190 2021 0.827 0.8245 2020 0.827 0.8265 2019 0.834 0.8015 2018 0.827 0.8200 2017 0.812 0.7880 2016 0.845 0.7865 2015 0.845 0.7930 2014 0.819 0.7790 2013 0.825 0.7700 2012 0.825 0.7805 2011 0.832 0.7900 2010 0.832 0.7990 2009 0.830 0.7890 2008 0.830 0.7770 2007 0.830 0.7700 2006 0.830 0.7700 2005 0.830 0.7550 2004 0.830 0.7700 2003 0.830 0.7600 2002 0.830 0.7440 2001 0.830 0.7480 2000 0.830 0.7280 Political Violence by Non-State Actors
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +4); higher = more violence · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from -0.201 in 2000 to -0.661 in 2025; the world median went from -0.766 to -0.661.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 -0.66 -0.661 2024 -0.37 -0.626 2023 0.03 -0.617 2022 0.36 -0.522 2021 0.74 -0.530 2020 0.54 -0.620 2019 0.59 -0.620 2018 0.59 -0.787 2017 0.59 -0.651 2016 0.59 -0.633 2015 0.59 -0.757 2014 0.59 -0.748 2013 0.59 -0.755 2012 0.59 -0.755 2011 0.65 -0.737 2010 0.65 -0.767 2009 0.18 -0.767 2008 0.28 -0.798 2007 0.10 -0.801 2006 0.10 -0.847 2005 -0.04 -0.743 2004 -0.04 -0.847 2003 -0.20 -0.818 2002 -0.20 -0.770 2001 -0.20 -0.760 2000 -0.20 -0.766 Global Militarisation Index
GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight) · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 98.79 in 2000 to 67.18 in 2023; the world median went from 120.02 to 100.66.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2023 67.2 100.7 2022 68.9 100.9 2021 70.1 102.9 2020 74.0 104.4 2019 72.7 101.6 2018 72.6 98.1 2017 74.1 101.3 2016 75.0 102.0 2015 74.5 105.7 2014 76.3 103.0 2013 76.7 108.5 2012 77.3 109.5 2011 83.8 112.0 2010 84.1 114.8 2009 87.8 117.0 2008 87.0 114.4 2007 88.1 117.1 2006 90.7 116.5 2005 91.9 113.9 2004 94.6 113.6 2003 99.0 117.9 2002 101.4 120.1 2001 100.4 122.0 2000 98.8 120.0
03In context
South Africa beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 177 countries on peace & security, never a place within the region.
South Africa and the countries it borders
Standing among all 177; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Political Stability and Absence of ViolencePolitical Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5) | Physical Violence IndexFreedom from political killings and torture (0–1) | Political Violence by Non-State ActorsOriginal latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +4); higher = more violence | Global Militarisation IndexGMI score (higher means a heavier military weight) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Namibia | 49th | 0.741 | 0.88 | -2.75 | 136.44 |
 Botswana | 52nd | 1.079 | 0.873 | -2.227 | 156.68 |
 Lesotho | 57th | -0.011 | 0.839 | -0.891 | 59.42 |
| South Africa | =72nd | -0.382 | 0.849 | -0.661 | 67.18 |
 Eswatini | 114th | -0.571 | 0.132 | -0.588 | 69.82 |
 Zimbabwe | =126th | -0.872 | 0.17 | 0.253 | 65.42 |
 Mozambique | 150th | -1.656 | 0.314 | 1.708 | 83.4 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 177.
- Namibia49th
- Botswana52nd
- Lesotho57th
- South Africa=72nd
- Eswatini114th
Placed either side on peace & security
The countries immediately above and below South Africa in the topic’s list.
Gabon70th
Vietnam71st
Malawi=72nd- South Africa=72nd
Uzbekistan=72nd
Qatar75th
Brunei76th
04Context, no vote
Where South Africa is ahead of the world, and behind
11 more statistics filed under peace & security, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median3
Statistics on which South Africa does better than the middle country measured.
Armed Forces Personnel (% of population)U.S. Department of State · 2019 · world median 0.260.110.26No real change since 2009
South Africa: 0.11 · world median 0.26 · Active-duty armed forces personnel (% of population). U.S. Department of State, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.04 to 4.6; lower is better.
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.100.1▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0 · world median 0.1 · Military dimension index (0–1; higher = larger military role). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; lower is better.
Government Cyber Security CapacityV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.1960.5170.196▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.517 · world median 0.196 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.66 to 3.715; higher is better.
Position 69th of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median4
Statistics on which South Africa does worse than the middle country measured.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.394.895.3▼ Worsened since 2015
South Africa: 94.8 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
INFORM Risk IndexEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · 2025 · world median 3.75.13.7▼ Worsened since 2016
South Africa: 5.1 · world median 3.7 · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk). European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 8.5; lower is better.
Position 54th of 191 · derived, 1st = worst.
Deaths in Organized ViolenceUCDP · 2025 · world median 0170▼ Worsened since 2015
South Africa: 17 · world median 0 · Deaths in organized violence (people). Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 90,345; lower is better.
Position 46th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Deaths in Non-State ConflictUCDP · 2025 · world median 0170▼ Worsened since 2015
South Africa: 17 · world median 0 · Deaths in non-state conflict (people). Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 7,827; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Civilian Deaths in Organized ViolenceUCDP · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0 · world median 0 · Civilians killed in organized violence (people). Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 65,911; lower is better.
Deaths in State-Based Armed ConflictUCDP · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0 · world median 0 · Deaths in state-based armed conflict (people). Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 90,323; lower is better.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Refugees by Country of OriginUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency · 2025 · world median 1,2721,3191,272Moved since 2015
South Africa: 1,319 · world median 1,272 · Refugees under UNHCR's mandate from this country, end of year (people). UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5,224,131.
Arms Imports (% of total imports)U.S. Department of State · 2019 · world median 0.300.3Moved since 2009
South Africa: 0 · world median 0.3 · Arms imports (% of all imports of goods and services). U.S. Department of State, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.
No current reading for South Africa
Internally Displaced People of Concern to UNHCR. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Peace & Security among South Africa’s 15 topics
Peace & Security is South Africa’s 6th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality40th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade39th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology61st of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties65th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 77th of 1844/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation101st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital116th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 134th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 148th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience152nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality145th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability172nd of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on peace & security
The three countries placed highest of 177, and the leaders South Africa can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 177 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
Costa RicaCentral America
2nd of 177 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
3
MaltaSouthern Europe
3rd of 177 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles4th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
Namibia49th4/4 keysThis page
South Africa=72nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 177 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about South Africa and peace & security
08Questions
South Africa on peace & security: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does South Africa rank on peace & security?
South Africa is placed joint 72nd of 177 countries on Peace & Security in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Physical Violence Index, Political Violence by Non-State Actors and Global Militarisation Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Political Stability and Absence of Violence figure for South Africa?
-0.382 in 2025 (political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.171.
What is the latest Physical Violence Index figure for South Africa?
0.849 in 2025 (freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)), according to V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg. The world median in the same edition was 0.79.
How does South Africa compare with Mozambique on peace & security?
Mozambique is placed 150th of 177, and South Africa joint 72nd. Political Stability and Absence of Violence: Mozambique -1.656, South Africa -0.382; Physical Violence Index: Mozambique 0.314, South Africa 0.849; Political Violence by Non-State Actors: Mozambique 1.708, South Africa -0.661; Global Militarisation Index: Mozambique 83.4, South Africa 67.18.
How have South Africa’s peace & security figures changed?
Political Stability and Absence of Violence fell from -0.313 in 2000 to -0.382 in 2025; Physical Violence Index rose from 0.83 in 2000 to 0.849 in 2025; Political Violence by Non-State Actors fell from -0.201 in 2000 to -0.661 in 2025; Global Militarisation Index fell from 98.79 in 2000 to 67.18 in 2023.
Which peace & security statistics are missing for South Africa?
No current reading is published for South Africa on Internally Displaced People of Concern to UNHCR. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Deaths in armed conflict and violent deaths per person are published here as context, because the counts are uneven between years and between sources. Crime in daily life and personal safety are not covered. Humanitarian crises driven by conflict appear in Risk & Resilience.
How the Peace & Security standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The peace & security method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Political Stability and Absence of Violence — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Physical Violence Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Political Violence by Non-State Actors — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Global Militarisation Index — Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), CC BY
The other 11 statistics on this page come from 5 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
South Africa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Africa (banner) — Damien du Toit, CC BY 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Costa Rica — Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Malta — Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Africa: Peace & Security — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-africa/security