Kathmandu, July 21 -- Nepal has suffered the largest deterioration in peacefulness of any country in the world over the past year, according to a new international index.

The 2026 Global Peace Index ranked Nepal 111th out of 163 countries, down 26 places from the previous year and marking its lowest position since 2008. Its overall peacefulness score fell by 9.1 percent-the largest decline recorded by any country in this year's index, ahead of Oman and the Republic of the Congo.

Compiled annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the index measures peacefulness using 23 indicators across three broad areas: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarisation.

The report attributes Nepal'...