SIPRI: UN peacekeeping forces hit 25-year low in 2025

The number of UN peacekeeping personnel deployed worldwide has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published on May 25, 2025. The findings highlight a significant decline in global peacekeeping capacity.

The number of troops and personnel deployed in United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world has reached its lowest point in a quarter century, according to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday, May 25, 2025.

The SIPRI report documents a sustained decline in the scale of UN-mandated peacekeeping missions globally. The findings raise concerns among international security analysts about the world's collective ability to manage and contain armed conflicts at a time when geopolitical tensions remain elevated in multiple regions.

SIPRI, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the world's leading independent research institutions focused on conflict, armaments, and international security. Its annual assessments are widely regarded as authoritative benchmarks for tracking global military and peacekeeping trends.

The decline in peacekeeping numbers comes amid broader debates within the United Nations about the funding, mandate, and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions. Several major troop-contributing countries have scaled back their commitments in recent years, contributing to the overall reduction.

For Estonia and the Baltic region, the report carries relevance as a signal of shifting international security dynamics. Estonia has historically supported multilateral peacekeeping efforts as part of its broader commitment to the rules-based international order and UN-led conflict resolution mechanisms.