The 2025 Global Peace Index, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, now places Brazil at 130th out of 163 countries. This is a big fall from its position at 103rd in 2015.

The Index uses 23 factors, including crime rates, internal conflicts, and military spending, to measure how peaceful a country is. Brazil now ranks below Cuba (102nd) and just above Venezuela (139th).

Colombia stands out in the region for all the wrong reasons. In 2025, Colombia ranks 140th on the Global Peace Index, making it the least peaceful country in South America for the fifth year in a row.

Despite minor improvements in some areas, Colombia faces rising deaths from internal conflict, which jumped from 434 in 2023 to 933 in the most recent period. The country also has one of the highest numbers of people displaced by violence, with over 1.7 million affected.

The cost of violence in Colombia is extremely high, reaching 28.6% of its GDP, one of the highest rates globally. Armed groups, drug cartels, and political instability continue to drive violence, especially in marginalized communities.

Brazil Drops in Global Peace Rankings, Colombia Marks Worst in Latin America. (Photo Internet reproduction)

Brazil’s low ranking is mainly due to high levels of violent crime and problems with public safety. In 2024, Brazil had 38,772 homicides, which is still very high even though it is less than the 40,768 reported in 2023.

The homicide rate stands at 17.9 per 100,000 people, much higher than most countries. Another issue is police violence. Police killed 4,565 people by September 2024, and over 80 percent of those killed were Black.

In São Paulo, police killings increased by 55 percent in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Brazil’s social support programs, like Bolsa Família, have helped reduce poverty and improve lives.

However, the World Bank points out that these programs do not reach everyone who needs help. Without changes, many people will remain at risk during tough times or miss out on new opportunities.

Brazil has the largest military in South America and works with countries like Sweden, Israel, and the United States to modernize its forces. The country is developing new technology, including nuclear-powered submarines and advanced drones.

Still, these efforts have not improved Brazil’s peace ranking because violence and social problems remain high. Cuba, while facing its own difficulties, scores better than Brazil in safety and social support.

Venezuela, just below Brazil, continues to struggle with a humanitarian crisis, violence, and large numbers of people leaving the country. The drop in Brazil’s peace ranking is not just a number. High violence and insecurity make it harder for businesses to invest and grow.

It also increases costs and can scare away new jobs and opportunities. Instability in Brazil can affect neighboring countries through trade and migration.Peace is important not only for people’s safety but also for a healthy economy.

The latest data from the Global Peace Index, the World Bank, and official crime reports show that Brazil and Colombia need to tackle violence, improve social programs, and make policing fairer if they want to move up in the rankings and create a better future for everyone. All facts and figures come from official sources.