Is Bhutan Safe? Global Peace Index 2026 Ranks It 16th

By Best of Bhutan Research Desk · November 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Is Bhutan safe? By one widely used measure, yes. Bhutan ranks 16th of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2026, and it is the most peaceful country in South Asia. Kuensel reported the ranking on 3 November 2026, noting that Bhutan does not score equally well on every part of the index.

The index is published each year by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a think tank based in Sydney. The 2026 edition came out in June. This post explains what the ranking covers, where Bhutan's score slipped, and what it means in practice for visitors. A peace ranking is a good sign, but it does not cover the things most likely to cause problems on a Bhutan trip: mountain roads, weather, altitude and distance from hospitals.

Key Facts at a Glance

Bhutan in the Global Peace Index 2026

The GPI 2026 report ranks 163 independent states and territories, which together hold 99.7% of the world's population. Each country gets a score from 23 indicators grouped into three areas:

• Societal safety and security — crime, violent demonstrations, political instability, terrorism, refugees and similar measures
• Ongoing domestic and international conflict — deaths from conflict, relations with neighbours and involvement in wars
• Militarisation — military spending, armed forces numbers, weapons imports and exports, and contributions to UN peacekeeping

Bhutan scored 1.546, putting it 16th, between Hungary (15th) and the Netherlands (17th), according to the IEP's 2026 rankings poster. It is ranked above Australia (20th) and well above its neighbours. The top three are Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland, Outlook Traveller reported.

The long-term change is large. Bhutan was 69th in 2008, according to the report, so it has climbed more than 50 places since then.

Where Bhutan's Score Slipped

Kuensel's point about uneven performance is visible in the report. Bhutan moved up two places, but its score got slightly worse, by about 0.4%. It rose in the table mainly because other countries declined faster.

The report gives two reasons for the small decline:

• Militarisation worsened by 1.4%. This came from a 13.4% drop on the indicator for funding UN peacekeeping, not from any build-up of armed forces.
• Ongoing conflict worsened slightly, by 0.7%.

Neither change relates to the safety of visitors. The report describes Bhutan as "a regional outlier" with a score far better than the South Asian average.

How Bhutan Compares in South Asia

South Asia had the largest decline of any region in 2026 and is now the second least peaceful region in the world, the report says. Five of its seven countries got worse, mostly because of conflict.

Ranks from the IEP rankings poster; Pakistan and Afghanistan as reported by WION.

Many visitors combine Bhutan with India or Nepal. Nepal had the region's biggest fall in 2026, down 26 places. For a fuller comparison of the two countries as destinations, see our Bhutan vs Nepal vs Tibet guide.

What the Ranking Does Not Tell You

The GPI measures peace at the level of a country. It does not measure road safety, natural hazards or health care, and these are where most travel risks in Bhutan lie. Government travel advice is more useful here.

Crime is low. Canada's travel advice for Bhutan, updated on 14 October 2026, is at the lowest level. It says violent crime is uncommon, but pickpocketing and theft happen occasionally, especially in Thimphu. The UK's Foreign Office advice also describes crime as low and suggests keeping copies of your passport, visa and ticket apart from the originals.

Roads are the main risk. The UK advice lists road accidents as a major cause of injury and death in Bhutan. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, with sharp bends and poor visibility, and there are no traffic lights. Both governments advise extra care in the rainy season and in winter. Tourists in Bhutan travel with a licensed driver and guide, which helps, but it is still sensible to avoid driving at night.

Weather and natural hazards. The monsoon runs from June to September. Landslides can close roads for days, and floods can wash out roads and bridges. Bhutan is also in an active earthquake zone. Floods can happen outside the monsoon too: on 29 October 2026 the Shintaphu glacial lake in Gasa burst. About 130 tourists were affected, and some were stranded in Laya, The Bhutanese reported. No injuries to tourists were reported, and the Department of Tourism advised operators to avoid Laya and other affected areas. Our Sintaphu GLOF report has the details.

Altitude on treks. Some trekking routes go above 5,000 m, and Canada's advice warns that altitude sickness can be fatal. Trek with an experienced, licensed operator, follow your guide's advice on acclimatisation, and carry insurance that covers helicopter rescue. Our Bhutan trekking guide covers altitude by route.

Stray dogs and rabies. Canada's advice says rabies is present and recommends avoiding stray dogs. If you are bitten or scratched, go to the nearest hospital for anti-rabies treatment the same day.

Medical care. Basic care is available in Thimphu and Paro. Quality varies elsewhere, and serious cases may need evacuation abroad. Travel insurance is no longer required for a Bhutan visa (the Department of Tourism withdrew the requirement in April 2024), but it still recommends it.

What This Means for Travellers

For most visitors, Bhutan is one of the safest countries in Asia, and the 2026 ranking supports that. Practical points:

• Save the emergency numbers. The Royal Bhutan Police list 113 for police and general emergencies, 112 for ambulance, 110 for fire and rescue, and 111 for traffic.
• Get a local SIM. It makes it easier to reach your guide and emergency services. See our Bhutan SIM card guide.
• Pick your season. If road travel worries you, avoid the June to September monsoon, when landslides are most common. See our month-by-month guide.
• Know the rules. Visitors need a visa, pay the SDF and use a licensed guide at most sites. Our Bhutan travel restrictions guide explains what is and isn't allowed, from drones to tobacco.
• Travelling alone? Our solo female travel guide covers safety and costs for solo trips.
• Check the season on our Bhutan right now page, and ask your operator about road works or closures on your route before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bhutan safe for tourists?

Yes, for most visitors. Bhutan ranks 16th of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2026, and Canada's travel advice is at its lowest level, "take normal security precautions." Violent crime is uncommon. The main risks are mountain roads, landslides in the monsoon, altitude on high treks and limited medical care outside Thimphu and Paro.

What is Bhutan's Global Peace Index ranking in 2026?

Bhutan is 16th of 163 countries, with a score of 1.546. It moved up two places from 2025 and is the most peaceful country in South Asia. It was 69th in 2008.

Is Bhutan safer than Nepal and India?

On the Global Peace Index, yes. In 2026 Bhutan ranks 16th, Nepal 111th and India 127th. The index measures crime, conflict and militarisation at a national level. It does not measure tourist-specific risks such as road conditions or weather.

What are the emergency numbers in Bhutan?

Police and general emergencies 113, ambulance 112, fire and rescue 110, and traffic 111, according to the Royal Bhutan Police. Your licensed guide is also your first contact for any problem during the trip.

Do I need travel insurance for Bhutan?

It is not required for a visa since April 2024, but the Department of Tourism still recommends it. For treks, choose a policy that covers high altitude and helicopter evacuation.

Sources

• Kuensel, "Bhutan ranks 16th in Global Peace Index, but strength uneven across areas," 3 November 2026 — kuenselonline.com
• Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index 2026 report, June 2026 — visionofhumanity.org (PDF)
• Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index 2026 rankings map — visionofhumanity.org (PDF)
• Outlook Traveller, "Global Peace Index 2026: the 10 most peaceful countries," 26 June 2026 — outlooktraveller.com
• WION, "Global Peace Index 2026: how India and its neighbours ranked in South Asia," 12 June 2026 — wionews.com
• Government of Canada, "Bhutan travel advice," updated 14 October 2026 — travel.gc.ca
• UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, "Bhutan: safety and security" — gov.uk
• The Bhutanese, "Yak herders first to alert residents as flood hits Gasa and Punakha," October 2026 — thebhutanese.bt
• Royal Bhutan Police, "Emergency contact numbers" — rbp.gov.bt
• Department of Tourism, Bhutan, announcements (travel insurance, April 2024) — bhutan.travel

Planning a trip and want a route that avoids monsoon-prone roads or builds in time to acclimatise? Talk to us — our licensed guides and drivers plan around season, road conditions and altitude.