The 2024 Global Peace Index, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, delivered an unexpected shift in the global landscape of peace. While countries such as Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand continue to dominate the top positions, two Southeast Asian nations have joined them in the top ten: Singapore in fifth place and Malaysia in tenth.
Their presence in a ranking traditionally led by European and Nordic countries challenges long-held assumptions about Asia’s political volatility and its perceived exposure to conflict. Instead, the data highlights Southeast Asia as a region capable of maintaining stability, safety, and social cohesion even amid rapid economic growth and shifting geopolitical pressures.
Singapore and Malaysia owe their strong performance not to geographic advantage, but to deliberate long-term investments in governance, public security, and multicultural harmony. Their success offers a counter-narrative to global impressions of Southeast Asia as a region defined by border disputes, maritime tensions, or political fragility.
Singapore: A Blueprint for Urban Peace and Order
Singapore’s placement among the world’s most peaceful nations reflects the city-state’s unwavering commitment to safety, predictable governance, and social cohesion. Peace in Singapore begins with the reliability of its institutions.
The government is known for efficient administration, forward-looking policymaking, and a legal system that applies rules firmly and consistently. This structure creates an environment where crime rates remain exceptionally low and where residents and visitors alike feel secure in public spaces at all hours.
Another factor supporting Singapore’s peaceful standing is its economic stability. A prosperous and well-regulated economy reduces social tensions and provides citizens with broad access to opportunities. The city-state’s multicultural model also plays a major role.
Through policies that promote respect among ethnic and religious groups, Singapore has cultivated a social environment where diversity is not just tolerated but embedded into everyday life. Clean streets, orderly public transport, and a culture that values discipline complete the picture of a highly functional society.
Malaysia: A Multicultural Society That Prioritizes Stability
Malaysia’s position in the top ten of the Global Peace Index highlights its steady progress toward internal stability and social harmony. Although the country experiences political competition and active democratic debate, it has successfully avoided large-scale internal conflict.
This is largely due to a societal foundation built on coexistence among Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous communities. In daily life, this multicultural mix creates a rhythm of shared spaces, blended traditions, and collaborative economic activity.
Safety indicators in Malaysia have consistently improved, supported by investments in policing, public infrastructure, and urban development. Major cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang demonstrate how modern urban planning can coexist with cultural diversity, creating environments that feel both dynamic and secure.
Beyond the cities, Malaysia’s natural landscapes contribute to a sense of national identity anchored in balance and environmental richness.
What Southeast Asia Can Learn from These Rankings
The appearance of Singapore and Malaysia alongside highly peaceful European nations sends a significant message for the broader ASEAN region. First, it shows that peace is not a privilege reserved for wealthy Western countries.
It is a measurable outcome of effective governance, community resilience, and social trust. These results also counter international narratives that often portray Southeast Asia primarily through the lens of instability. Instead, they highlight how the region can set global benchmarks for safety and coexistence.
Peace also has clear economic benefits. Countries that rank highly on the Global Peace Index tend to attract more foreign investment, tourism, and long-term residents. Stability reduces uncertainty for businesses and increases confidence among international partners. In this sense, peace is not merely a moral or social achievement, but a strategic economic asset.
Peace as Southeast Asia’s Most Valuable Resource
The 2024 Global Peace Index invites the world to reconsider how it views Southeast Asia. Singapore and Malaysia demonstrate that peace can flourish in diverse, rapidly growing societies, and that stability is something that can be deliberately cultivated.
Their success offers valuable lessons for the region at large, suggesting that long-term safety and harmony stem from strong institutions, cohesive communities, and a consistent commitment to fairness and public order.
For ASEAN, peace may well be its most powerful currency. As the region continues to navigate global uncertainty, maintaining and strengthening this stability will shape not only economic prospects, but also the quality of life for generations to come.
