Safest and most dangerous countries 2024-2025

Curious about the safest and most dangerous places to live and travel? Find out which countries consistently top the list and how credible these rankings really are.

Reykjavik: A city where crime is rare, and safety is the norm—just like the rest of Iceland, the world's safest country. Photo: Chris Yunker, Flickr CC BY 2.0

When planning international travel, safety remains a top priority for many travelers. Various organizations assess and rank countries based on factors such as crime rates, political stability, healthcare quality, and infrastructure. These rankings provide valuable insights for those seeking secure destinations.

In recent assessments of global safety, various organizations have published their rankings for the years 2024 and 2025.

Iceland leads: The safest countries

1. Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024

The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Institute for Economics & Peace, evaluates countries based on indicators such as ongoing conflict, militarization, and societal safety. In its 2024 report, the top five countries are:

1. Iceland

2. Ireland

3. Austria

4. New Zealand

5. Singapore

Iceland has maintained its position as the safest country for the 17th consecutive year.

2. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) 2025 Report

BHTP combines traveler surveys with crime statistics to determine the safest travel destinations. Their 2025 rankings are:

1. Iceland

2. Australia

3. Canada

4. Ireland

5. Switzerland

Iceland continues to top this list, reflecting its consistent reputation for safety.

3. U.S. News & World Report's «Best Countries» Rankings

Based on global perceptions, U.S. News & World Report lists the safest countries as:

1. Switzerland

2. Norway

3. Sweden

These rankings are derived from a survey focusing on perceived safety and political stability.

CEOWORLD Magazine's Safest Countries for 2025

CEOWORLD Magazine focuses on security risks pertinent to travelers. Their top five safest countries for 2025 are:

1. Iceland

2. Monaco

3. Liechtenstein

4. Andorra

5. San Marino

Iceland remains at the top, with several small European nations following.

Average top 3 rankings

To determine an average top three, we can assign points based on rankings (e.g., 1st place = 3 points, 2nd place = 2 points, 3rd place = 1 point) and sum them across the lists:

• Iceland: 3 (GPI) + 3 (BHTP) + 3 (CEOWORLD) = 9 points

• Switzerland: 1 (U.S. News) + 1 (BHTP) = 2 points

• Ireland: 2 (GPI) + 2 (BHTP) = 4 points

• Norway: 2 (U.S. News) = 2 points

• Sweden: 3 (U.S. News) = 1 point

• Australia: 2 (BHTP) = 2 points

• Canada: 1 (BHTP) = 1 point

• Monaco: 2 (CEOWORLD) = 2 points

• Liechtenstein: 1 (CEOWORLD) = 1 point

Based on this scoring system, the average top three safest countries are:

1. Iceland

2. Ireland

3. Switzerland, Norway, Australia, and Monaco (tied)
   

It's important to note that these rankings are based on different methodologies, including statistical analyses and public perceptions. Therefore, while Iceland consistently ranks as the safest country, the subsequent positions can vary depending on the criteria used by each organization.

Credibility of safety rankings

The credibility of safety rankings varies depending on the organization behind them, the methodology used, and the sources of data. Here’s a breakdown of how serious and research-based some of the most well-known safety rankings are:

1. Global Peace Index (GPI) – Highly Respected

Produced by: Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) Methodology: Uses 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure peace and security, including crime rates, political stability, terrorist activity, and military spending. Data Sources: UN agencies, World Bank, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other global databases. Credibility: High – Used by policymakers, researchers, and governments worldwide.

2. Global Finance Magazine’s Safest Countries Ranking – Moderately Credible

Produced by: Global Finance Magazine Methodology: Considers factors like war and peace, personal security, natural disaster risk, and COVID-19 impact. Data Sources: World Economic Forum, UN, Global Peace Index. Credibility: Moderate to High – Uses reliable data but lacks transparency on weighting and analysis methods.

3. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) – Limited Scientific Basis

Produced by: BHTP (a travel insurance company) Methodology: Uses surveys from travelers alongside crime data and the Global Peace Index. Data Sources: FBI crime statistics, Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and traveler surveys. Credibility: Moderate – While it includes research-based data, traveler opinions introduce subjectivity.

4. U.S. News & World Report’s 'Best Countries for Safety' – Somewhat subjective

Produced by: U.S. News & World Report Methodology: Based on a survey of 17,000 people worldwide, asking about perceived safety and political stability. Data Sources: Public perception surveys rather than hard crime or safety data. Credibility: Moderate – Reflects opinions more than actual safety statistics.

5. Numbeo’s Crime Index

– Crowdsourced, Less Reliable

Produced by: Numbeo, a user-driven database Methodology: Relies on user-submitted crime and safety reports from around the world. Data Sources: Self-reported surveys from residents and travelers. Credibility: Low to Moderate – Can give useful insights but lacks academic rigor.

6. CEOWORLD

Magazine is recognized as a prominent business publication, catering to high-level executives and industry leaders. According to their "About Us" page, the magazine boasts over 12.4 million page views and targets an audience of CEOs, CFOs, senior management executives, business leaders, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide.

However, the credibility of CEOWORLD Magazine's rankings has been a topic of discussion. For instance, in a Reddit discussion regarding the magazine's MBA rankings, some users expressed skepticism about its credibility.

Additionally, Poets&Quants, a reputable source for business education news, has critiqued CEOWORLD's ranking methodologies, suggesting that some of their rankings may lack robustness.

Specific to their "Safest Countries for 2025" ranking, CEOWORLD Magazine has not publicly detailed the methodology behind this list. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to assess the rigor and reliability of their findings.

Yemen remains the world's most dangerous country to visit due to ongoing civil war, terrorist activity from groups like AQAP and ISIS, high kidnapping risks, and severe humanitarian crises. Photo: Felton Davis, Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Countries to avoid in 2025: Global danger rankings

From war-torn regions to high-crime hotspots, the latest safety rankings from International SOS, CEOWORLD Magazine, and MIRA Safety highlight the most dangerous countries in 2025.

Discover which destinations pose the highest risks for travelers and residents alike.

According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024, the five least peaceful countries are:

1. Yemen

2. Sudan

3. South Sudan

4. Afghanistan

5. Ukraine

This marks the first time Yemen has been ranked as the least peaceful country, having fallen 24 places since the inception of the index.

The GPI evaluates nations based on indicators such as ongoing conflict, militarization, and societal safety. The countries listed above face significant challenges, including armed conflicts, political instability, and high levels of violence, contributing to their low peace rankings.

It's important to note that these rankings are based on data up to 2024, and the situation in these countries may have changed since then. For the most current information, consulting the latest reports and official travel advisories is recommended.

Here's a breakdown of International SOS, CEOWORLD Magazine, and MIRA Safety, along with their credibility in safety rankings:

1. International SOS

International SOS is a global health and security risk management firm that provides medical and security services to businesses, governments, and individuals.

Credibility: Highly regarded for its Risk Map, which evaluates the safety of countries based on medical risks, security threats, and road safety. It collaborates with Control Risks, a well-known global risk consultancy. Methodology: Uses real-time intelligence, expert analysis, and global partnerships to assess risks.

Clients: Large corporations, NGOs, and governments worldwide.

2. CEOWORLD Magazine

CEOWORLD Magazine is an online business and lifestyle publication covering topics such as wealth, travel, and rankings of global destinations.

Credibility: Mixed. While the magazine is popular among executives, some experts have questioned its ranking methodologies. It does not always disclose how it gathers data, making some of its reports less scientifically rigorous than academic or governmental sources.

Methodology: Uses a mix of public data, expert opinions, and editorial analysis, but transparency varies by report.

3. MIRA Safety

MIRA Safety is a private company specializing in military-grade safety gear, including gas masks and protective equipment.

Credibility: Good for tactical and survival-related insights, but it is not an independent research organization. Their rankings focus on war zones, terrorism, and biological threats, aligning more with a survivalist and security-focused perspective rather than broad academic peace indexes.

Methodology: Relies on news reports, intelligence sources, and risk assessments but does not conduct independent field research like think tanks or governmental agencies.

How do they compare to other safety rankings?

• Most Reliable Sources: Global Peace Index (GPI), International SOS, and travel advisory boards (like the U.S. State Department or UK Foreign Office)

• Less Transparent Sources: CEOWORLD Magazine and MIRA Safety (useful but should be cross-referenced with independent studies)