Published: November 6, 2026
Sudan is the most dangerous country in Africa in 2026. Its civil war has made it the second least peaceful country on Earth. Only Russia scores worse.
This ranking uses the Global Peace Index 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace on June 9, 2026. The index scores 163 countries on 23 indicators of conflict, safety and militarisation. A higher score means less peace. The ten countries below have the highest scores in Africa.
Nigeria makes the list at number 10. Africa's most populous nation sits among the continent's ten least peaceful countries, even though it improved six places since last year. For the military side of the story, see our ranking of Africa's biggest defence budgets in 2026 and Africa's largest armies by active soldiers.
Key Facts
- Sudan tops the list with a score of 3.195. It ranks 162nd of 163 countries in the world. Only Russia, at 3.367, scores worse.
- Four of the ten least peaceful countries in the world are African: Sudan, DR Congo, South Sudan and Mali. Somalia sits just outside that group, at 153rd.
- Nigeria ranks 10th in Africa, with a score of 2.755. It shares 142nd place in the world with Haiti. Nigeria improved six places since 2025 and still makes the top ten.
- Four of the ten are Sahel neighbours: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Their average score is 2.87.
- Sudan's score of 3.195 is just over twice the score of Mauritius, Africa's most peaceful country at 1.586. The ten countries in this ranking average 2.96.
| Rank | Country | GPI score 2026 | World rank | Change since 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 3.195 | 162nd | Down 3 |
| 2 | DR Congo | 3.189 | 161st | No change |
| 3 | South Sudan | 3.116 | 158th | Down 2 |
| 4 | Mali | 2.996 | 154th | No change |
| 5 | Somalia | 2.973 | 153rd | Down 4 |
| 6 | Central African Republic | 2.906 | 150th | Up 1 |
| 7 | Burkina Faso | 2.882 | 149th | Up 3 |
| 8 | Niger | 2.832 | 146th | Down 1 |
| 9 | Chad | 2.769 | 145th | Down 9 |
| 10 | Nigeria | 2.755 | 142nd (tied) | Up 6 |
The top three average 3.17. Sudan leads DR Congo by just 0.006 points. Ethiopia just misses the top ten, in 11th place in Africa at 2.648.
1. Sudan, 3.195
Sudan's war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has run since April 2023. The Institute for Economics and Peace calls it the world's most severe humanitarian crisis. About 150,000 people have been killed and more than 12 million displaced. Sudan fell three places in the 2026 index, to 162nd of 163 countries. Only Russia ranks below it.
2. DR Congo, 3.189
Fighting in the east drives DR Congo's score. The M23 rebel group advanced through North and South Kivu in 2025, and armed groups still control large areas of the mineral-rich east. DR Congo sits just 0.006 points behind Sudan, the closest finish at the top of this ranking. Its world rank is unchanged at 161st.
3. South Sudan, 3.116
South Sudan fell two places to 158th in the world. Renewed fighting and political tension in 2025 pushed its score higher. The country has lived with conflict and displacement for most of its life since independence in 2011.
4. Mali, 2.996
Mali's score is unchanged from 2025. A jihadist insurgency grips the north and centre of the country, and the military government now rules after a series of coups. Mali is the fourth African country in the world's ten least peaceful.
5. Somalia, 2.973
Somalia fell four places to 153rd in the world. The al-Shabaab insurgency still controls rural areas and strikes cities, including the capital Mogadishu. Somalia sits just one place outside the world's ten least peaceful countries.
6. Central African Republic, 2.906
The Central African Republic improved one place to 150th. Armed groups still control much of the country outside the capital, Bangui. The state has made gains in some areas, but the score stays high.
7. Burkina Faso, 2.882
Burkina Faso improved three places to 149th, the second biggest gain in the top ten after Nigeria. A jihadist insurgency still drives the score, with attacks across the north and east. Improvement here means the situation got less bad, not good.
8. Niger, 2.832
Niger fell one place to 146th. Jihadist attacks continue in the west, near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. The 2023 coup and the break with regional partners add to the instability the index measures.
9. Chad, 2.769
Chad recorded the steepest fall in the top ten, down nine places to 145th. Boko Haram attacks around Lake Chad continue, and the war in neighbouring Sudan has pushed refugees and fighters across the border.
10. Nigeria, 2.755
Nigeria is the surprise name on this list for many readers. Africa's most populous nation ranks 10th, tied with Haiti at 142nd in the world. Boko Haram and its Islamic State offshoot still fight in the north-east, bandits raid villages in the north-west, and separatist tensions simmer in the south-east. Nigeria still improved six places since 2025, the biggest gain in the top ten.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous country in Africa in 2026?
Sudan, with a Global Peace Index score of 3.195. It ranks 162nd of 163 countries worldwide. Only Russia scores worse.
Is Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries in Africa?
Yes. Nigeria ranks 10th in Africa in the Global Peace Index 2026, with a score of 2.755. It shares 142nd place in the world with Haiti. Nigeria improved six places since 2025 but still makes the top ten.
How does the Global Peace Index measure danger?
It scores 163 countries on 23 indicators across three areas: safety and security in society, ongoing conflict, and militarisation. Scores run from 1 to 5, and a lower score means a more peaceful country. It is not a crime-only list, and it is not a travel advisory. A national score does not describe every city or region.
What is the safest country in Africa in 2026?
Mauritius, with a score of 1.586. It ranks 18th in the world. See our ranking of the ten safest countries in Africa in 2026.
Is Africa getting more or less peaceful?
Less peaceful, on the index's measure. Global peacefulness fell for the 12th year in a row in the 2026 edition, and 99 countries got worse. Sudan fell three places and Chad nine, while Nigeria improved six and Burkina Faso three.
Data Sources
- Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index 2026 (released June 9, 2026): economicsandpeace.org/global-peace-index/
- Full 2026 ranking table (all 163 countries), StatRanker: statranker.org
- Global Peace Index, Wikipedia (2026 table, citing the Institute for Economics and Peace report): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index
- "Global Peace Index 2026: Somalia Improves Slightly but Remains Among Most Conflict-Affected Nations", FTL Somalia, August 9, 2026: ftlsomalia.com
- Institute for Economics and Peace media release on the 2026 index, via The Korea Herald: koreaherald.com
Methodology
This ranking uses the Global Peace Index 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace on June 9, 2026. The index covers 163 countries and scores each on 23 indicators in three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarisation. Internal peace carries 60 percent of the weight and external peace 40 percent. Scores run from 1 to 5. A lower score means a more peaceful country, so this ranking lists the ten African countries with the highest scores.
Rank changes compare the 2026 edition with the 2025 edition. A country can move up the ranking because its own score improved, because others got worse, or both.
Seychelles and Cape Verde do not appear in the 163-country index, so they are excluded from this ranking. They are not ranked last.
One secondary website republishes different scores for these countries. Those figures do not match the official Institute for Economics and Peace table, which two independent sources reproduce exactly. The official figures are used here.
The index measures conditions at the national level. It is not a travel-safety guide, and a national score does not describe every city or region in a country.
