The Top 10 Safest Countries in the World

Have you ever wondered what makes a country safe? Yes, there can be many answers to this question, like a peaceful environment and a stable government. Well, in this article, we’ll be delving into what makes the safest countries safe. Triphippies brings you the top 10 safest countries in the world, following the Global Peace Index 2022, that you need to visit in 2024.

From the Nordic island famous for its northern lights, also known as the land of fire and ice, Iceland, to an island in East Asia known for its rich culture, known as the land of the rising sun, Japan, the list goes on. These countries make great destinations for your next getaway.

Global Peace Index: The Lower it is, The Safer You Are

The GPI is the world’s leading peacefulness index and stems from a data-driven analysis of a country’s state of peace across three domains: the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and the level of militarization. 

It is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which ranks 163 independent countries based on their level of safety and peacefulness. The GPI analyzes a country’s peacefulness based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators that help assess the three domains in each country.

• The level of societal safety and security: The first domain measures the level of harmony and discord; furthermore, 11 indicators are used in this domain. The claim here is that low crime rates, minimal internal conflict and demonstrations, and a stable political environment can amount to peace and harmony. 

• The extent of ongoing domestic and international conflicts:  This domain uses six indicators to analyze the extent to which countries are involved in internal and external conflicts and how they impact other countries.  

• The level of militarization: This domain uses 6 indicators to analyze the level of militarization, which include the level of a country’s military buildup and access to weapons.

The scores of the GPI are calculated on a scale of 1–5, with 5 representing the highest degree of violence shown in a country; thus, the lower the score, the higher the country is ranked in the report.

Indicators of The Global Peace Index

The peacefulness of a country is assessed with the help of 23 quantitative indicators. Moreover, the indicators were selected with the assistance of an expert panel in 2007. Below is a table of the indicators used, categorized based on each domain:

Societal Safety and Security Indicators

Indicator	Source
Level of perceived criminality	EIU
Number of refugees and displaced persons as a percentage of the population	UNHCR
Political Instability	EIU
Political Terror	Amnesty International
Impact of Terrorism	Global Terrorism Index
Number of homicides per 100,000 people	EIU, UNODC surveys on CTS
Level of violent crime	EIU
Likelihood of violent demonstrations	EIU
Number of jailed persons per 100,000 people	World Prison Brief
Number of internal security officers and police per 100,000 people	EIU

Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict

Number and duration of internal conflicts	UCDP, IEP
Number of deaths from external organized conflicts	UCDP
Number of deaths from internal organized conflicts	Armed Conflict Database
Number, duration, and role in external conflicts	UCDP, IEP
The intensity of organized internal conflicts	EIU
Relations with neighboring countries	EIU

The Level of Militarization 

Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP	IISS and The Military Balance
Number of armed-services personnel per 100,000	IISS and The Military Balance
Volume of transfers of major conventional weapons as recipient per 100,000 people	IISS and The Military Balance
Volume of transfers of major conventional weapons as supplier per 100,000 people	SIPRI Arms and Transfer Database
Financial contribution to UN peacemaking missions	UN Committee on Contributions
Nuclear and heavy weapons capability	The Military Balance, EIP
Ease of access to small and light weapons	EIU

List of the Top 10 Safest Countries in the World

Safety is one of the major concerns for people who are relocating or just going on vacation. What’s more is that there are various factors involved in ranking a country’s safety, which is why the Global Peace Index is used as one of the most credible and comprehensive sources out there to rank a country’s safety. Here is a data-derived list of the safest place in the world:

GPI: 1.07

The Nordic island country is defined by its dramatic landscapes and must-see northern lights. The country is also known as the “Land of Fire and Ice” and is a sight for the eyes. 

The country emphasizes its citizens’ rights, such as legal same-sex marriage, same-sex adoptions, and equal pay for all genders, making it an optimal environment for all. 

With so many things to explore, like the black sand beaches and a lake surrounded by volcanoes, not to mention that the people of Iceland are hospitable and welcoming with a strong attitude against crimes, thus a low level of crime rate, this country takes the number one spot for the safest country in the world. 

GPI: 1.269

New Zealand A small island nation in Oceania, the country is well known for its Maori culture and spectacular landscapes. With a relatively small population, the country has a lower crime rate and is considered to be among the safest countries to live in.

It is surprising to see that the police don’t carry personal firearms when patrolling the land. The people are open-minded and welcoming, thus making it the safest country to live in. Apart from that, the risk of theft is minimal, with its prominence in only tourist areas.

GPI: 1.288

With a relatively low crime rate, Ireland takes third place on the list of the world’s safest countries. The land is filled with hospitable and friendly Irelanders, and the people keep away from conflicts with only a slight possibility of culturally violent threats.

The land is best known for its rich culture, arts, and drinks—from its famous Riverdance to being home to some of the great minds like Oscar Wilde; moreover, who can miss the mouth-watering drink they provide that attracts the tourists’ attention the most?

GPI: 1.296

The Scandinavian country is known for equality, safety, and sustainability; it bagged the fourth position in the GPI list. The country has a stable political environment with a relatively low crime rate. 

It is an attractive tourist destination with avant-garde architecture; apart from that, the country has a high personal tax that accounts for tuition-free higher education and has healthcare facilities with no hidden costs; as such, the elderly are provided with at-home care.

GPI: 1.300

Officially, the Republic of Austria is famous for its fantasy-like architecture, such as castles made during the Habsburg reign, palaces, and buildings. It is a major tourist destination thanks to being home to the Alps mountain range.

It is considered a safe country by tourists and citizens alike due to its strong economy and intact government system. There is less criminal activity, but active demonstrations take place often, so tourists are advised not to participate in those activities. Apart from that, the country has improved its overall GPI by a small percentage.

GPI: 1.301

The Mediterranean country is famous for its scenic landscapes and spectacular old wine, Licor Beirão. The country has turned the tide in its favor by climbing higher in the GPI list of safest countries since 2014. 

To be honest, what makes Portugal safe is its low level of income inequality and how it ranks among the best countries for retirement. The country has made its armed forces known to citizens, which has only resulted in less crime. 

GPI: 1.316

An attraction for tourists and adventurers. The country is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and ski resorts. Slovenians are hospitable people and welcoming to tourists who want to experience their culture and explore their food. 

The land has a stable political and government system, and the country enjoys a high level of prosperity that accounts for its high ranking in the GPI list. However, the country dropped two spots from last year. It remains peaceful in its position at number 7 on the GPI list of the safest place in the world.

GPI: 1.318

The country, also known as Czechia, is a central European nation that is in the 8th position on the GPI list of the safest countries in the world. Thus, making it the safest country to live in.

The country is known for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. 

It has strong gun control laws that help keep crime at bay, and the country has a strong infrastructure in place and an affordable healthcare insurance policy for its citizens. The country has safe communities and low crime rates thanks to its improvements in the domains of safety, security, and militarization.  

GPI: 1.326

Singapore is currently in 9th place in the GPI ranking list of the safest countries. The Southeast Asian country is best known as the global financial hub in the world for its high-tech businesses; additionally, the economy of the country has only flourished thanks to its global position on the map. Also, it is considered to be the safest country to live in.

The country has a high sense of personal and social security, as well as severe penalties even for minor crimes, and thus has a minimal crime rate. Apart from that, it is a sight for tourists and attracts the most out of any country: as its name suggests, Singapore- a city in a garden, it also has man-made waterfalls; and it is home to the world’s first night zoo.

GPI: 1.336

Japan, the land of the rising sun, has held the crown for being in the top 10 safest place in the world list for 14 years now. Japan has many must-visit attractions, the country is known for its rich culture, traditional wooden architectural styles, and pop culture. 

The country puts great emphasis on culture and respect and thus has low crime rates and even fewer minimal conflicts. Apart from that, the country has strict gun control policies intact, which have allowed citizens to live peacefully. 

According to the data from the Economist Intelligence Unit, the capital was ranked in first place for being the safest city in terms of cybersecurity in 2019. 

Every individual wants a secure life and a safe nation to live in, so all things considered, these were the top 10 safest countries in the world ranked according to their GPI ranking.

Now you know what makes the safest countries safe and why people who are considering relocating or just want to get away from the noise of the crowd should choose from this list of the safest countries and enjoy living in a safe and secure environment.