Countries such as Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark, Finland, and Portugal consistently rank among the safest in the world thanks to low crime rates, political stability, and strong institutions. However, safety is measured in different ways. Some rankings focus on overall peacefulness, others on safety for women, organised crime, or exposure to natural disasters. In this guide, we review several major international indices — including Numbeo, the Global Peace Index, the Women, Peace and Security Index, the Global Organized Crime Index, and the WorldRiskIndex — to highlight the countries considered the safest places to live and travel in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Iceland remains the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index, followed by countries such as Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Finland.
- Numbeo’s 2026 ranking, based on user surveys about crime and safety, places Qatar, Andorra, Taiwan, Macao, and Oman among the safest countries for tourists and expats.
- Nordic and Western European countries dominate safety rankings for women, according to the Women, Peace and Security Index.
- Crime rates alone do not determine safety — factors such as political stability, organised crime, and armed conflicts also play a major role.
- Natural disaster exposure is another key risk factor, with countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh among the most vulnerable.
Numbeo Rankings: Based on Tourist and Expat Experiences
Numbeo compiles its ranking of the safest countries based on surveys from everyday users. Participants are asked to rate crime levels in different cities, like how safe it feels to walk during the day or night, the overall sense of safety, and various risk-related factors. These indicators are then used to calculate an overall safety index for each country.
According to Numbeo users, the top 10 safest countries in 2026 are:
- Qatar
- Andorra
- Taiwan
- Macao (China)
- Oman
- Isle Of Man
- Hong Kong (China)
- Armenia
- Bahrain
Interestingly, Sweden and Belgium — usually high in many other safety rankings — didn’t even make the top 10. According to Numbeo, Sweden is considered less safe than Barbados, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
The most dangerous countries in the Numbeo index include:
- Papua New Guinea
- Venezuela
- Haiti
- Afghanistan
- South Africa
- Honduras
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Syria
- Jamaica
- Peru
- Guyana
It’s important to note that Numbeo is based on subjective survey data and focuses solely on crime rates. Yet crime is only one aspect of safety. A respondent’s perception can vary widely depending on their background — for example, someone from a relatively safe country in Western Europe may have a different view of danger than someone living through a civil war in Latin America.
Crime Statistics: No Mafia, Few Murders
Most countries publish their own official crime statistics. Homicide, rape and armed robbery rates per 100,000 people can give a rough indication of public safety. However, this kind of data is only a loose indicator, for instance:
- In developed countries, crimes are more likely to be reported and registered, making them appear more dangerous than they are.
- In developing countries with high corruption and weak legal protections, people may avoid going to the police altogether or see no point in doing so – therefore many crimes go unreported.
The effectiveness of law enforcement can be assessed through the Global Organized Crime Index, compiled by GI-TOC, which is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating organised crime. The index evaluates data on crimes such as human trafficking for exploitation, drug trafficking, cyber fraud, and other offences, as well as the measures taken by governments to tackle them.
Countries with the lowest levels of organised crime include:
- Tuvalu
- Nauru
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Liechtenstein
- Marshall Islands
- Dominica
- Kiribati
- Vanuatu
- Samoa
- Monaco
Myanmar, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Paraguay topped the anti-rating list.
The United Nations maintains separate statistics on homicide rates per 100,000 inhabitants, as these are provided by national governments. Not all countries submit accurate or complete data, and some may even falsify it to improve their image internationally. Nevertheless, based on the available data, the countries with the lowest levels of violent crime are:
- Singapore
- Qatar
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Indonesia
- Vanuatu
- French Polynesia
- Hong Kong
High homicide rates are reported in Haiti, Jamaica, Ecuador, South Africa, and Honduras. Many African and South American countries don’t collect or even publish such data—meaning states like Sudan or Somalia, who are both experiencing ongoing civil conflict, may actually be the worst affected, but we just don’t know its full extent.
The Global Peace Index: Development Over Wars
The Global Peace Index is a composite indicator measuring overall safety and peacefulness in countries and is compiled by an international research centre based in Sydney. The ranking draws on official statistics and independent data from various global institutions, including the World Bank, the UN, and national governments.
The index considers a broad range of risks, such as:
- Internal armed conflicts
- Wars involving the state
- Terrorism
- Crime levels
- Government expenditure on the military, police, and weapons
- The development of democratic institutions and protection of human rights
- Numbers of prisoners, soldiers, and refugees
- Accessibility of firearms within the country
The 10 most peaceful countries in 2025 were:
- Iceland
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Finland
Countries listed as the most dangerous included Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria, and Israel.
The Safest Countries for Women: Education and Employment for All
The Georgetown University Institute for Women, Peace and Security in Washington D.C. regularly compiles an index of the world’s safest countries for women.
It takes into account the following factors:
- Access to education, employment, politics and public administration
- Risk of gender-based violence from partners or strangers
- Legal protections against gender discrimination and sexual harassment
- Maternal mortality rates
- The gender ratio at birth – if the number of male newborns significantly exceeds the standard 1.05 ratio, it may indicate hidden femicide and societal bias against girls
In 2025-2026, the safest countries for women are listed as:
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Austria
- New Zealand
The most dangerous for women across multiple indicators are Afghanistan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Syrian Arab Republic, and Sudan.
According to the Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26, Belarus and Norway record the lowest maternal mortality ratio globally. Countries such as Switzerland and Singapore also rank among the safest places for women, while several European states perform strongly on women’s economic inclusion.
The authors of the index emphasise that no country is entirely free from discrimination and gender-based violence. In only 40 countries do women receive more than 5 years of education on average, with access to education and employment for women strongly correlating with economic development, national safety, and overall prosperity.
Natural Disasters: Avoiding Volcanoes and Hurricanes
A low crime rate and peaceful population don’t necessarily mean a peaceful life. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions are natural threats to bear in mind when relocating or preparing for travel, and are becoming more and more part of everyday life in certain parts of the world.
According to the WorldRiskIndex 2025, developed by researchers at the United Nations University, countries most vulnerable to natural disasters include Philippines, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Colombia, where high exposure to tropical cyclones, earthquakes, flooding, and landslides is combined with dense populations in vulnerable coastal and seismic zones. Other countries frequently appearing among the higher-risk group include Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Mozambique, where disaster exposure is further intensified by limited infrastructure and disaster-response capacity.
At the opposite end of the ranking, countries considered to have some of the lowest natural-disaster risk include Malta and Saudi Arabia, as well as several Nordic and Baltic states such as Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These countries benefit from favourable geographic conditions, relatively low exposure to major natural hazards, and strong disaster-preparedness systems, including advanced infrastructure, early-warning technologies, and effective emergency response planning.
While climate change is increasing the likelihood of natural disasters globally, the safest nations will continue to be those that can warn their populations ahead of time and effectively manage emergencies and the aftermath.
Dangerous Animals, Snakes and Insects: Only in Zoos
Wildlife risks take into account factors such as insects, predatory animals, and venomous reptiles. For this reason, relatively safe countries like Australia rarely top the safety rankings as the country is known for its ‘colourful’ collection of dangerous animals, with many accadotes to be told from both visitors and locals. Encounters with poisonous snakes and spiders are also possible in Brazil, Central Asia, and parts of Latin America, not forgetting sharks that are a risk in the Red Sea and around the Caribbean islands.
Additional Risk Factors
When planning travel or emigration, it’s also worth considering:
- Risk of Infectious Diseases: Will you need vaccinations for typhoid, malaria, or tropical fevers?
- Healthcare Standards: How long will you wait to see a GP or specialist? Can you access modern diagnostic technology?
- Local Attitudes: How friendly are residents towards foreigners, including people of different ethnic backgrounds?
- Economic Stability: High unemployment or financial crises increase the risk of theft, scams, and violent crime.
FAQ
Which countries are the safest overall?
According to several international rankings, including Numbeo and the Global Peace Index, the safest countries in the world tend to include Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland. These countries consistently perform well due to low crime rates, political stability, strong institutions, and peaceful international relations.
What is the safest country in the world?
Which countries are safest for women?
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