Have you ever wondered which is the safest country in the world? There are nearly 200 countries in the world right now, and only a few are safe for citizens and tourists. In this post, I will share a few countries considered safe to travel to.
I’m sharing this list based on the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), calculated based on countries’ peacefulness comprising 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators. The Lower GPI is, the safer the country is. Let’s jump to the list and see what are of those countries.
Top 10 Safest Country in the World:
| Rank | Country | 2024 GPI | 2024 GPI Score | 2022 GPI | 2022 GPI Score | Homicide Rate | Incarceration Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1.47 | 3.39 | 1.11 | 1.24 | 1.11 | 1.24 |
| 2 | Denmark | 0.95 | 3.86 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 3 | Ireland | 0.69 | 4.9 | 1.29 | 1.53 | 1.29 | 1.53 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1.313 | 1.313 | 1.27 | 1.53 | 1.27 | 1.53 |
| 5 | Austria | 0.72 | 4.04 | 1.3 | 1.45 | 1.3 | 1.45 |
| 6 | Singapore | 0.17 | 3.13 | 1.33 | 1.24 | 1.33 | 1.24 |
| 7 | Portugal | 0.91 | 4.55 | 1.3 | 1.39 | 1.3 | 1.39 |
| 8 | Slovenia | 0.53 | 4.29 | 1.32 | 1.41 | 1.32 | 1.41 |
| 9 | Japan | 0.25 | 4.53 | 1.34 | 1.28 | 1.34 | 1.28 |
| 10 | Switzerland | 0.54 | 4.34 | 1.36 | 1.24 | 1.36 | 1.24 |
Here are the top 10 safest countries in the world in 2024:
1. Iceland:
Iceland has ranked at #1 position as the safest country in the world for the 15th time by the Global Peace Index. This small country has a population of 373k and an extremely low crime rate than any other country. Ranking in this position as the safest country in the world isn’t so easy, but this country has made it look easy.
Iceland has a few rare qualities that many countries lack, such as religious freedom, equal pay for both men and women, a high standard of living, and legalized same-sex marriage. You will be shocked to know that Ireland has no military force. Yes, you heard it right. Only the police force keeps their country safe, and only a few of those police carry firearms with them.
Suppose you are planning to visit Iceland for your next foreign trip. In that case, you can do that without any hesitation, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time there in their beautiful destinations like Reykjavik, Akureyri, Selfoss, and more.
2. Denmark:
Denmark was ranked the third safest country in the world in 2022, but they have improved their ranking by one position, and now the country holds the #2 spot.
With a population close to 5.9 million, Denmark is the second safest country in the world, with a GPI of 1.3, and one of the countries with the lowest murder rate of 0.95 per 100k people. Just like Iceland, Denmark also emphasizes equal rights for men and women. Everyone in the country respects the law, which helps the society function smoothly without tension.
One of the few reasons Denmark is considered safe is its low corruption rate and a stable and well-functioning government. Denmark also happens to be one of the happiest countries in the world right now. Denmark is known for destinations like Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Tivoli Friheden.
3. Ireland:
The next country on our list is Ireland, which has a population of around 5 million and is one of the safest countries on the planet, with a GPI of 1.31. A few years back, Ireland was not even ranking in the top 10 safest countries in the world; however, it was made to the list in 2022 as the #3 position, and since then, it has held this position.
Just like many other European countries, this part of Europe has low terrorism threats, low corruption rate, and cultural violence, and that’s why many people travel to this country to visit their popular destinations like Dublin City, The Rock Of Cashel, Galway City, Cliffs Of Moher and more.
The people of this country are very friendly, and most of the population speaks English, making it easy for everyone to communicate during travel.
4. New Zealand:
The people of New Zealand are very welcoming, and the atmosphere of this country is extremely good currently; this is the fourth safest country in the world. The GPI Score of this country is 1.3, which is considered the best. It has a population of around 5 million, and English is the most spoken language in this country.
The “The Kiwis” nickname also knows the people of this country. You should also know that New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world for women.
The uniqueness of New Zealand is its natural surroundings, where you can go hiking, skiing, and many fun activities without any safety issues. Some of the popular destinations of New Zealand are the Bay Of Islands, Tongariro National Park, Napier In Hawke’s Bay, Coromandel Peninsula, and more.
Tourists will have no issues traveling to this country as it has a very low crime rate, and most people in New Zealand are quite friendly.
5. Austria:
Austria is the fifth safest country in the world, with a population of around 8.9 million. The country tops not only in the safety department but also in the natural and cultural beauty many countries don’t have. The GPI of this country is 1.31, which is quite good, I would say. Apart from common crimes like pickpocketing, no major or serious crimes occur in Austria.
This country is quite safe for citizens and tourists who want to explore popular destinations like Vienna, Bad Gastein, Wachau, Hoher Dachstein, Krimml Waterfalls, and more. This country is also known for its unique music, arts, architecture, landscapes, etc., and If you love to explore natural places, you will surely fall in love with this country.
6. Singapore:
Many people might be surprised to see Singapore on this list, but I have to say it is one of the safest countries in the world with low crime rates and has a GPI of 1.33, which is quite excellent. Singapore has a population of a little over 5.4 million, and the languages spoken in this country are English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
Singapore is mostly known for its large skyscrapers, but most people don’t know that the country has strict laws for crimes, and that’s why not a lot of people commit crimes in this part of the world. The country’s citizens are well-educated and tend to report any crime they may have witnessed, and the police force takes necessary actions at the earliest.
Suppose you plan to visit Singapore sometime as a tourist. In that case, you can enjoy sites like Gardens By The Bay, Universal Studios Singapore, Night Safari Nocturnal Wildlife Park, and other places without fear of crime.
7. Portugal:
You may have heard about Portugal for its popular football matches, but the country is also known for its safety. It is currently ranked as the seventh safest country in the world, with a GPI of 1.33, and the population of this country is around 10 million. The most spoken language in this country is Portuguese, Mirandese, Barranquenho, Minderico, and Algarvean.
Like a few other countries in this list, Portugal has a peaceful atmosphere in most countries where crime happens quite rarely, as everyone lives in peace. Portugal is known for its historical places, and you’ll be amused to see the history of each of those places.
The Lisbon Oceanarium, Monserrate Palace, News Museum, and Jeronimos Monastery are popular places in Portugal. If planning to visit this beautiful country, they and enjoy their time here without any safety issues.
8. Slovenia:
The next country on our list is Slovenia, which has a small population of around 2 million. Still, the country is peaceful, with social and religious harmony with little to no crime. The most spoken language in the country happens to be Slovenian. Law enforcement in the country is quite powerful and very strict, which could be the main reason for the low crime in the country.
The living standard in Slovenia is better than many countries in the world, and citizens enjoy the benefits of their taxes in the country. As a tourist, you can explore some of the best places in the country, like Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj, Bled Castle, Predjama Castle, Preseren Square, and more. Apart from travel security, Slovenia is also known as one of the best countries with low medical risks.
9. Japan:
Many people know Japan as one of the best countries in the world with technological advancement but don’t know that it is also one of the safest countries in the world. The country has a GPI of 1.33, which tells you about the safety atmosphere and the low crime rate.
Once you land in this country, you’ll notice that the living standard of that country is quite high as most people are well educated and have good businesses and jobs. Japan has the third-best economy in the world after the United States and China; chances are, it may beat the latter in the future with its powerful technologies.
Some popular places you can explore in Japan are Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yakushima, Osaka, Kamakura, and more. If you want a nice time in Japan, I suggest you go there between March and May.
10. Switzerland:
Well, who doesn’t know Switzerland, known for its natural beauty? This beautiful country from Europe is considered one of the safest countries in the world to live and currently holds the #10 in this list. This country has a population of around 8.7 million, and the most spoken languages in this part of the world are German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Unlike countries like the United States, where buying guns is quite easy, Switzerland has strict gun control laws and few other laws that help citizens live peacefully without crime and violence.
Some popular places you can explore in Switzerland are Lucerne, Interlaken, Jungfraujoch, The Matterhorn, Swiss National Park, Chateau De Chillon, Montreux, and others. You can visit any of these places, and I’m sure you’ll be surprised to see the beauty of this country.
What are the Qualities the World’s Safest Countries Have in Common?
Some of the top qualities that the World’s Safest Countries Have in Common are:
- Extremely low crime rates.
- Political stability.
- Law enforcement capabilities.
- Societal safety.
- Little to no terrorism threats.
- Social welfare.
- Good education.
- Lack of conflict between neighboring countries.
- Equal rights for men and women.
- Low incarceration rates.
If a specific country matches these qualities, you can assume that the country is safe for both citizens and tourists. You can visit those countries for your official visit or as a tourist without worries.
Conclusion
Not every country is completely safe, and no one can change this. However, a few countries have all the qualities to be safe and sound, and that’s why I have published this list of the top 10 safest countries in the world with their best qualities.
If you think I have missed your favorite country that should be on this list, let me know in the comments below, and I’ll add that country to the list as soon as possible. Thanks.
Since 2014 I have been writing about tech and helping others to fix tech issues related to Android, Windows, iOS, Chromebook, and more.
I love to help others to fix any technical issues they might be facing.
