Even as the world has faced countless conflicts, a few nations have managed to stay almost completely out of war. Some are protected by geography, others by diplomacy, and a few by sheer luck or divine reputation. Here are ten countries that have impressively avoided major wars throughout their histories. World Wars were two of the most destructive global wars in human history, remaking the contemporary world. World War I (1914-1918) commenced after Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination and engaged great powers who were divided into Allied and Central Powers. It saw the introduction of trench warfare, new weapons such as tanks and poison gas, and resulted in approximately 20 million fatalities. Just two decades later, unresolved tensions and the rise of totalitarian regimes led to World War II (1939–1945), sparked by Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland. This war was even larger and deadlier, involving over 100 million people across more than 30 nations, and ending with the defeat of the Axis Powers, the Holocaust, and the first use of atomic bombs. Together, the two wars reshaped political boundaries, economies, and international power systems, giving rise to the United Nations and the start of the Cold War era.
1.Vatican City
The smallest state in the world, Vatican City, has only approximately 800 inhabitants, all of whom are mostly clergy. Safeguarded by 135 Swiss Guards, the Vatican has not experienced actual combat since 1527, when guards were killed defending the Pope during the Sack of Rome.
Italy promises Vatican sovereignty under the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which means any attack on the Vatican would be an attack on Italy—and by proxy, NATO. Include 1.4 billion Catholics all over the world, and it would be a spiritual and political blunder for any nation to invade Vatican City.
Because of this, the Vatican is the only country on the planet that has never been involved in a single war throughout its history.
2.Mauritius
Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius was a French and British colony but gained independence peacefully in 1968. It has since retained no military, using a small coast guard and police force to defend itself.
With robust democratic institutions, a mixed population, and good living standards, Mauritius is always ranked as the most peaceful country in Africa. Its remoteness—500 miles off the coast of Madagascar—also serves to keep it insulated from world conflicts.
3.Costa Rica
Following a short civil war in 1948, Costa Rica did something remarkable: it dissolved its army completely. President José Figueres Ferrer reallocated military spending to education and healthcare and created a peace model that still stands today.
Though Costa Rica depends on treaties (such as the Inter-American Defense Pact) for defense from the outside, it sometimes experiences border conflicts—like the Google Maps War of 2010, when Nicaragua mistakenly occupied Costa Rican land through a cartographic mistake. The tensions aside, Costa Rica is still an exemplary case of demilitarized peace.
4.Vanuatu
Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, served as an Allied base during World War II but never engaged in direct combat. Its only fight was in the Coconut War of 1980, in which a local secessionist movement attempted to establish independence for a single island.
The short battle—engaged largely with coconut-roadblocks—resulted in mere casualties. Vanuatu has been peaceful and politically stable ever since, enjoying its reputation as one of the world’s least war-scarred countries.
5.Andorra
Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, Andorra has had centuries of tranquility since its establishment in 1278. Its remoteness, compact size, and absence of natural resources make it a less desirable target for intruders.
Interestingly, Andorra went to war against Germany in World War I, but nobody cared—so it was technically still “at war” until 1958, when it forgot to sign a peace treaty.
Now, Andorra is one of the wealthiest countries per capita and depends on its treaties with France and Spain for its defense. It has no military, yet over half its people claim they’d fight if called upon to do so.
6.Switzerland
Switzerland’s neutrality is the stuff of legend, but it did not come by it naturally. The Swiss waged numerous wars until 1815, when the Congress of Vienna proclaimed the nation eternally neutral.
The invasiveness is made virtually impossible by the Swiss Alps and every Swiss male being given military training to create an enormous reservoir army even when there is no standing force.
Neutrality also serves an internal purpose: Switzerland’s citizens speak French, German, and Italian, and avoiding foreign wars prevents internal division.
During World War II, Switzerland traded with both sides and controversially handled Nazi gold, but avoided direct conflict. With over $4 trillion in managed assets today, it’s possible that many nations have financial reasons not to invade.
7.San Marino
Totally encircled by Italy, San Marino boasts being the world’s oldest republic (established in 301 AD). How does it maintain peace? Charm, diplomacy, and being too minuscule to bother attacking.
Even Napoleon did not conquer San Marino, respecting its leaders and granting the nation tax breaks and hay instead. Afterward, in Italy’s unification, revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi found asylum in San Marino. When he later unified Italy, he repaid the favor by acknowledging the independence of San Marino.
San Marino remained neutral during World War II, protected by geography and diplomacy. Having just 23.6 square miles of land and few resources to exploit, one could say San Marino’s strongest weapon is being nice.
8.Bhutan
Situated deep in the Himalayas, Bhutan is regularly referred to as a tranquil, spiritual state that prioritizes Gross National Happiness rather than GDP. In the past, Tibet attempted invasion in the 1600s—but was unsuccessful.
The last great war involving Bhutan was the Duar War (1864–65) against the British Empire, which made Bhutan lose a fifth of its land. Ever since then, Bhutan has survived between two giants, China and India, depending mainly on diplomacy.
By astute foreign policy, Bhutan steers clear of antagonizing China while keeping very close defense relations with India. When Chinese-Indian tension mounted during the Doklam standoff (2017), Bhutan silently allowed India to manage it—again steering clear of direct confrontation.
9.Iceland
Iceland does not have a standing army since 1869 and has never issued a declaration of war. Although invaded by the UK and the US in World War II, Iceland in fact invited them in to keep out the Nazis.
Iceland’s principal battles were the chuckle-inducing Cod Wars (1958-1976) with the UK over fishing grounds. The “wars” consisted of ships colliding and diplomatic screeching matches—but no actual fights. Though small, Iceland emerged victorious from the disputes, gaining exclusive fishing grounds that are central to its economy today.
Just one individual ever lost their life in the Cod Wars, and Iceland has otherwise been a peaceful place—save for the occasional volcanic eruption or selfie-taking tourist invasion.
10.Liechtenstein
This small European principality, nestled between Austria and Switzerland, gained independence in 1866 and has never actually participated in a war. It’s only 62 square miles with around 40,000 inhabitants, making it one of Europe’s smallest countries.
Liechtenstein’s only encounter with fighting was in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, when it dispatched 80 troops to defend a mountain pass. They experienced no combat and came back home with 81 men—seemingly picking up another soldier along the way.
Even though it is a neutral state, Liechtenstein has been “accidentally invaded” time and again—by Switzerland. Swiss soldiers have invaded its territory at least six times, erroneously, and even fired stray artillery shells into it. Luckily, all the intrusions ended on a peaceful note (occasionally even over beers with the locals).
Has Thailand ever been in a war?
The Thai War of 1500-1529 was a protracted conflict in which Chiang Mai, threatened by the larger and more powerful Ayutthaya, often took the offensive. King Ratana of Chiang Mai invaded in 1507 and engaged the enemy at Sukhothai, where he was pushed back after an exhausting battle.
Which country will survive World War III?
Switzerland: Known for neutrality, mountainous terrain, and robust infrastructure. Australia: Isolated by oceans, rich in resources, and self-sufficient in food production. Chile: Isolated by the Andes, politically stable, and resource-rich. Iceland: Remote location, renewable energy resources, and stable society.
Where to hide during war?
Cover your head with your hands or a bag. After the explosion of the first projectile, quickly find a place to hide. You need to find at least a slightly deep depression. Underpasses, subways, shelters, ditches, trenches, pits, wide gutters under the road, high curbs, or maintenance holes are suitable for hiding.
Why can’t Sweden join NATO?
Sweden maintained its policy of neutrality during the Cold War. Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt has noted that this policy was in response to fears that if Sweden were to join NATO the Soviet Union might respond by invading neighbouring Finland, with which Sweden had close relations.
What is the safest country if a nuclear war happens?
The Smart Survivalist named the Nordic country as the safest place in the event of a nuclear war. “Because Iceland is isolated from the rest of the world by the North Atlantic Ocean, it would be very difficult for a nuclear missile to reach Iceland without being detected first,” it said.
Is another Cold War possible?
Sources disagree as to whether a period of global tension analogous to the Cold War is possible in the future, while others have used the term to describe the ongoing renewed tensions, hostilities, and political rivalries that intensified dramatically in 2014 between Russia, the United States and their respective …
Where do soldiers live during war?
Barracks
Barracks are buildings used to accommodate military personnel and quasi-military personnel such as police. The English word originates from the 17th century via French and Italian from an old Spanish word barraca ‘soldier’s tent’, but today barracks are usually permanent buildings.
What war killed the most Americans?
American Civil War (1861-1865) — 698,000 deaths
The Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was the deadliest conflict in American history. It erupted over deeply entrenched divisions over slavery, states’ rights and the preservation of the Union.
Final Thoughts
From mountain strongholds to tropical islands and city-state havens, all of these countries have found their own particular ways to remain outside of world wars. Whether through diplomacy, geography, or perhaps divine fortune, they show that peace can indeed last—even in a world constructed around war.
