The world's safest and most dangerous countries revealed

Safe stays and no-go zones

Have you ever wondered which of the world's countries are the safest – and the most dangerous? The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) released its Global Peace Index (GPI) report this year, ranking 163 independent states and territories around the world in order of peacefulness.

This is measured in several ways: safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarisation. According to the report, peacefulness has declined year-on-year for 13 of the last 15 years and the gap between the most and least peaceful countries has also widened.

Read on to see the world's top 10 safest and top 10 most dangerous nations right now.

Safest: 10. Switzerland

Rising one place to make the top 10, Switzerland is a notoriously safe, clean and efficient country, and that's reflected in the GPI report. It showed that Switzerland had very low levels of domestic and international conflict, and scores highly when it comes to societal safety and security. However, it ranks poorly on weapons exports, recording a high level of exports per capita in 2023.

Safest: 10. Switzerland

Visitors flock to this Central European country for its clean-as-a-whistle cities, laced with historic churches, opera houses and themed museums, and its spectacular natural spoils. Pictured is the Gornergrat Bahn, a cog railway in the Zermatt region that offers pinch-yourself views of waterfalls, forested peaks and the iconic Matterhorn mountain.

9. Japan

Just making it into the top 10, Japan is considered extremely safe: it has low crime rates and some visitors report that residents will leave belongings unattended in public places (although we wouldn't recommend it). It was the third most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region and ranked particularly high on safety and security, finishing second for this metric.

9. Japan

There's plenty else to entice visitors to Japan too. From the neon lights of Tokyo and the temples of Kyoto to skiing in northern Hokkaido, the country is an intriguing blend of ancient and ultra-modern. It also has an incredible 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the wonderfully preserved Himeji Castle.

8. Slovenia

This small European country, with a population of just 2.1 million, is one of the world’s safest, greenest and cleanest, making it an attractive destination for a long weekend. Visitors are rewarded with jewel-bright lakes, stunning mountains and verdant forests – making Slovenia ideal for all manner of outdoor pursuits.

8. Slovenia

Among the most popular sights is Lake Bled (pictured), an emerald-green lake with a dinky island topped by a 17th-century church. Ljubljana, the capital, is also a must-visit thanks to its historic architecture and medieval squares, while outdoorsy types should head to Triglav National Park for scenic trails through virgin forests and alpine peaks.

7. Portugal

Rising by one place since 2022, Portugal remains one of the world’s safest countries thanks to low crime rates and political stability. That said, it’s worth keeping your wits about you in the big cities, as pickpocketing and petty theft are not uncommon.

7. Portugal

Portugal has long been a summer holiday staple, and its appeal ranges from the beaches of the Algarve and the mountains in the country's centre to fabled Lisbon with its beautiful old town and the historic city of Porto. Food is a top reason to visit too. Be sure to try the famous custard tarts – pasteis de nata – fresh seafood and native wines.

6. Singapore

Rated the most peaceful country in Asia, Singapore's society is very safe thanks to political stability, low crime rates, a transparent legal system and a reliable police force. Singapore has famously strict laws (notoriously the sale of chewing gum has been illegal since 1992), which some say help keep its crime levels low.

6. Singapore

Food is a major draw for Singapore and the city state’s cheap and hygienic hawker markets offer a fantastic range of options. After eating, explore the botanical gardens or go shopping at one of the many malls. For something a little different, wander the vibrant Little India district (pictured).

5. Austria

With almost absent domestic and international conflict plus a high score for society safety, Austria sits pretty in fifth place. In 2018, capital Vienna was also named the world’s most liveable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit annual survey. Residents and tourists alike will be pleased to know the whole country has a very low violent crime rate.

5. Austria

Vienna claims many of the country’s top attractions, including the incredible Schönbrunn Palace (pictured), as well as lots of gorgeous cafés offering mouth-watering Viennese cakes (be sure to try the famous Sachertorte). But it’s not just the capital that’s worth a visit. Mountainous Tyrol has fantastic skiing and the annual summer Salzburg festival welcomes thousands of culture lovers for a showcase of theatre, opera and music.

4. New Zealand

New Zealand topped the Asia-Pacific region and had sky-high scores for safety and security. The stunning destination is especially known for the breathtaking scenery that featured in the Lord of the Rings franchise.

4. New Zealand

Most visitors to New Zealand come to explore the country’s stunning natural environment, spanning beaches, glaciers, mountains, forests and lakes. There are lots of opportunities for white-water rafting, hiking and skydiving. The 2022-released Amazon Prime series, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, also had many filming locations throughout the country, including Fiordland National Park, the beaches at Piha and Coromandel Forest Park.

3. Ireland

Down just one place from last year, Ireland now remains one of the world's most peaceful countries. The Emerald Isle has low levels of terrorism and little domestic or international conflict.

3. Ireland

A visit to Ireland wouldn't be complete without sampling a pint of Guinness, and the Guinness Storehouse is high on many tourists' lists when they touch down in Dublin. After hitting the city landmarks, head to Temple Bar to finish the night listening to a live Irish band or two. But don’t just stay in Dublin; the country’s mostly untouched coastline is beautiful and there are plenty of quiet spots to admire it without crowds.

2. Denmark

Although Scandi noir crime dramas might convince you otherwise, Denmark is one of the world’s safest countries. It scored particularly highly in the safety and security index, meaning that citizens and tourists can generally wander by night and day free from harm.

2. Denmark

Hipster Copenhagen welcomes most of the country’s tourists, and visitors here can enjoy picturesque Nyhavn, the city harbour, or navigate the streets by bike. There are lots of top restaurants and brunch spots to sample too. Outside the capital, Aarhus has the fantastic ARoS Art Museum and there’s beautiful countryside to explore.

1. Iceland

Holding the top spot since 2008, Iceland now has a long history of being the safest country in the world. It topped the Global Peace Index for society safety and doesn’t spend much on its military. It's also widely considered one of the safest places for solo female travellers to visit.

1. Iceland

The 'Land of Fire and Ice’ is on a lot of people’s wish lists thanks to its incredible geothermal springs, dazzling waterfalls and good chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Tourists can also explore the country’s glaciers, while thrill-seekers can go diving at the Silfra fissure, the gap between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. Beyond the heavily visited Golden Circle sights, there's tranquil Akureyri, Iceland's second city or the whale-watching hotspot Húsavík in the north.

Most dangerous: 10. Iraq

Despite moving up the Global Peace Index in recent years, Iraq is still the tenth most dangerous country in the world. The improvement is mostly down to the decline of Islamic State group (or ISIS) influence in the country, alongside a general increase in political stability.

Most dangerous: 10. Iraq

Iraq’s National Museum in Baghdad is stacked with extraordinary treasures from the ancient world – particularly Mesopotamia and Babylon. The museum was heavily looted in 2003 shortly before the US army arrived in the city, but many artefacts have now been recovered. In March 2022, the National Museum reopened after a three-year hiatus, although tourists should not attempt to travel to Iraq due to the high risk of terrorism and kidnapping, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the US Department of State.

9. Sudan

The US Department of State and the FCO currently advises against all travel to Sudan due to civil unrest occurring throughout the country. The biggest risks here include terrorism, street crime, kidnapping and armed conflict, while there is ongoing violence on the country’s borders with Chad and South Sudan; particularly in the disputed Abyei area.

9. Sudan

While tourism to Sudan may not currently be on the cards, the country still has stunning attractions. One of them is Meroë (pictured), a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Nile home to ancient pyramids dated between 300 BC and AD 300. The surrounding Nubian Desert is home to mile upon mile of untouched sandy wilderness, wandered by lonely ibex and Barbary sheep.

8. Somalia

Following the overthrow of dictator President Siad Barre’s regime in 1991, Somalia has been in a state of near-perpetual civil war. In 2012 a new government was installed, but it failed to secure peace. Between late November 2020 and late July 2021, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) recorded at least 899 civilian casualties – a significant increase on the same period the previous year.

8. Somalia

Before the tyrannical regime of President Barre, Somalia had a burgeoning disco scene and several beach resorts along its beautiful coastline. Tourism vanished at the start of the conflict, and over the last 20 years a number of visitors have been kidnapped by pirates off the Somali coast, although these attacks have now declined. Pictured is Jazeera Beach, where Somali families often gather to relax at the weekend.

7. Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has devastated the country, with the UN's Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reporting that more than 9,000 civilians have died in the conflict so far. According to the GPI report, "the war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on global peacefulness", and Ukraine has also seen the largest deterioration in peacefulness of the countries surveyed.

7. Ukraine

Before the conflict, Ukraine's popularity as a tourist destination in Eastern Europe was burgeoning. Most visitors would make for the country's historic capital, Kyiv, with its domed cathedrals and monasteries and pretty plazas. Pictured is Sofia Square, with the gold-topped Saint Sophia Cathedral and an equestrian monument to Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, which has now been covered in protective scaffolding to protect it from bombings.

6. Russia

It should come as no surprise that Russia was among the least peaceful nations in 2023’s report. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a devastating number of fatalities, and caused far-reaching instability throughout the region.

6. Russia

Both the UK and US advise against all travel to Russia. The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently states: “If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes.” Across the pond, the US Department of State has attributed the nation its highest alert rating.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

In 2017 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) saw a significant increase in civil strife, and intense violence has continued sporadically across the country ever since. In June 2021, it was reported that in the province of Ituri alone 1.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and thousands of civilians are still struggling to meet basic needs. In 2018, the country elected opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, whose inauguration in early 2019 marked the first peaceful transfer of power in the nation’s history.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

DRC is one of only three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild. But in 2018, the Virunga National Park made the decision to close its doors to tourists after several of its rangers were brutally murdered by militiamen and poachers. Despite the ongoing threat of violence, many rangers continue to risk their lives to protect the gorillas. Although Virunga has since reopened, current US Department of State advice is to reconsider travel to the DRC.

4. South Sudan

The world’s newest country, South Sudan is sadly also one of the most dangerous. The country broke from Sudan in 2011 but a civil war broke out just two years later, and while a peace deal was signed in 2018 armed conflict and human rights abuses continue unabated. That said, in 2022 the country recorded its lowest homicide rate since independence, and its peacefulness rating did improve slightly in this most recent GPI.

4. South Sudan

A 2022 UN report into the conflict cited a host of human rights violations, and recorded that 44,000 civilians were forcibly displaced and 173 killed between 11 February and 31 May 2022. South Sudan boasts a wealth of natural resources and its capital city Juba (pictured) sits on the banks of the White Nile. Sadly, corruption has ensured that the civilian population sees little of the benefit.

3. Syria

This war-torn Middle Eastern country has been repeatedly judged the world's least safe in recent years, but slipped back to third place in 2023. The nation's civil war has made headlines around the world, and become a brutal proxy war for regional powers. Despite a dire place in the table, Syria's overall score has improved thanks to the decline of the Islamic State group (ISIS) and several rebel groups.

3. Syria

Before the war, capital city Damascus and second city Aleppo (pictured here in pre-war times) were frequented by tour groups roaming the bustling marketplaces, day tripping to Roman ruins and exploring the culture of the country's ancient civilisations. The brutal conflict has now raged for 11 years and is estimated to have claimed more than 306,000 civilian lives.

2. Yemen

Not unlike Syria, the Arab nation of Yemen has been in a state of civil war for many years. The conflict began in 2014 and involves Houthi minority rebels battling the government regime for power. A Saudi-led coalition has been supporting the government, and according to the UN an estimated 377,000 people have been killed directly and indirectly by the war.

2. Yemen

Although the civil war has devastated the country’s resources, Yemen is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Old City of its capital, Sana’a (pictured). Sana'a has been inhabited for 2,500 years, making it one of the oldest cities on Earth. Due to the danger of terror attacks and kidnapping, the FCO and the US Department of State currently advise against all travel to Yemen.

1. Afghanistan

Though it has been ranked as the most dangerous country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, Afghanistan did see conflict-related deaths fall by 91% in 2022. In summer 2021, the government collapsed and the country was recaptured by the Taliban, which did bring an official end to war but did little for overall stability.

1. Afghanistan

Afghanistan has had a troubled recent past, enduring a Soviet occupation in the 1980s and a half-century of near-continuous Islamist terrorism and internal conflict. There have been attempts to revive tourism, but the US Department of State and the FCO advise not visiting for any reason. The country is home to the magnificent Friday Mosque in Herat (pictured), as well as stunning natural scenery.

All data for this piece was taken from the Global Peace Index for 2023.

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