What is the Unsafest place in the world?

List of the 40 safest travel countries

Whether vacationing in the mountains, on the beach, or sightseeing in bustling cities: Safety plays a major role for almost all tourists. Where the terror threat is high, the crime rate is rising or diseases are breaking out, you don’t necessarily want to spend your vacation.

We present the 40 countries to which you can travel safely and securely today.

Incidentally, the U.S. ranks 55th in the world, while the United Kingdom (21st) and Australia (12th) are significantly better placed.

The safest vacation countries 2023

The safest country in the world is currently Austria, followed by Germany and Denmark. There have been few changes at the top of the table for years. Iceland, in particular, which is remote and only relatively sparsely populated, has always been right at the top.

The criteria

For this list, 48 different criteria from various subject areas were evaluated. 23 of these come from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which assesses individual countries for the risk of war and acts of violence in its Global Peace Index. We have added a further 25 criteria to this 2022 index to additionally include the risk of corruption, petty crime, health and environmental impacts.

In the health sector, these are primarily the number of physicians and hospital beds per inhabitant, the registered cases of malaria and tuberculosis, and, as general indicators for the health system of the respective country, the DTP immunization rate and life expectancy. In order to take hygienic conditions into account, the availability of drinking water throughout the country was also included with a lower weighting.

Of direct relevance to tourists are our additional evaluations of traffic fatalities and persons affected by weather and natural events. Here, not only deaths were counted, but over the last 10 years the sum of all affected persons in relation to the total population. The events are not limited to volcanoes, tsunamis and earthquakes, but also include landslides, thunderstorms, severe floods, rain and hailstorms, heat waves and fires, sandstorms and snowstorms.

Protection from crime

If your favorite country is not listed, you don’t have to worry right away. In Austria and Germany, too, you should never leave your valuables lying around in the open. Experienced travelers know that unnecessary cash and important papers should be left in the hotel room. The expensive wristwatch is best left at home. Where there are many tourists, there are crooks in all countries who want to relieve you of your valuables. It is no different in Vienna, Berlin, New York or Manila. The poorer the population of a country, the greater the desire for the wealth of foreign guests. The more crowded a place is, the more likely opportunities arise.

Emerging countries with poor score

Surprisingly, some of the actually extremely popular vacation countries, such as Mexico and Turkey, are at the very bottom of the list (only the first 40 are shown in the table). Mexico, in particular, is becoming an important and increasingly popular vacation destination for many Americans, but is ranked just 140th in our country. The biggest point deduction here was the high crime rate in the country.

Another country that is also very popular is Turkey (80th place). Numerous areas and cities are extremely tourist-friendly. However, the severe earthquakes and the less than optimal handling of human rights were the main reasons for the downgrading.

Ethiopia, which is becoming increasingly popular with outdoor travelers, is also very far in the danger zone in place 158.

Used data sources

Quality of life 2023 in country comparisonCompare the quality of life around the globe: In which countries is life pleasant, safe and healthy?

The 40 most popular travel countriesA ranking of international tourism over 40 countries. USA ranks 3rd.

List of the most dangerous countriesThe 30 most dangerous countries in the world where you should not go on vacation right now

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Data without guarantee © WorldData.info, all rights reserved
Photo: © Portimão, Portugal (privat)

The Safest Countries for Women To Travel Alone

The struggle for a world where women can embrace their freedom openly and stroll across the streets with no fear of assault has been long-drawn. Sources suggest that nearly one in every three women has been subjected to partner and non-partner sexual violence. With such heightened statistics, it is fair to say that a safe traveling experience for women is the need of the hour.

Although numerous laws and stringent regulations about women’s rights have been introduced worldwide, women are still said to be unsafe in many countries. Of course, there is no such thing as the safest country for women in the world, but some countries obviously can be safer than others. That is why through this article, we aim at helping female nomads who love traveling alone by learning about the safest countries to travel to. Thus, the next time you are looking to visit the safest countries for women, you know what to expect.

What You’ll Find in This Article

• Top Safest Countries for Women
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Norway
• The Netherlands
• Germany
• Switzerland
• Finland
• Australia

The Top 10 Safest Countries For Women

#1 Canada

Canada is a spectacular country, draped in ice-capped mountains and lush forests. The enthralling beauty of the country, along with its multicultural ethnicity, will make you come back for more each time. But that is not all.

Overview:

Today, Canada is known for being one of the world’s safest countries for women. That is why you will often notice that most solo-travel lovers, especially women, come here to have a great time and tick their traveling experience off from the bucket list. So, the next time you are looking to travel alone and experience the calm you need, remember to book your flight tickets to Canada.

#2 New Zealand

Swarmed in the beauty of paradise and romance, New Zealand promises to be one of the most surreal countries to visit during a lifetime. But apart from its gorgeousness and obvious serenity, the country is also famous for being the safest place for women in the world.

Overview:
The country doesn’t not only help women to feel safe, secure, and more protected but also confident in so many ways. If you are also planning to visit New Zealand, do not forget to visit its beaches for an ever-lasting experience.

#3 Sweden

Today, Sweden is the safest country for a woman in the world. Although the country is well-populated and houses nearly 10.3 million people, it manages to make women feel safe with minimal sexual assault cases. Other forms of violence against women are also highly prohibited here.

Overview:
Note that Sweden actively participates in standing up for gender equality, animal rights, and even meeting climate goals. But that is not all. The people here are also passionate about improving racial equity, religious freedom, and human rights.

#4 Denmark

Although Denmark does not have stringent safety regulations for women, it is considered to be the best place for a single woman to live in the world. Here, you can come and stroll across your favorite places even in the middle of the night without having to worry about any safety issues.

Overview:
For most women, the experience has been as secure as possible. The capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen, is also said to be equally safe. Since the city is also safe from any natural disasters, one can easily avoid safety issues when traveling alone here.

#5 Norway

Whether you are looking for the best place for a single woman to live or travel, Norway stands out like no other. According to some of the latest surveys conducted, it has become one of the safest places for women to travel recently.

Overview:
Women’s quality of life in Norway is also quite high, and they do not feel bothered by any physical violence or other detrimental behavior. The country highly values its place in the world and manages to provide them comprehensive freedom without any second guesses. So, if you have been wanting to travel to Norway anytime soon, do not hesitate to do so. It is highly safe for you.

#6 The Netherlands

Speaking of the safest country for women’s rights, the Netherlands never fails to live up to your expectations. The country is thronged in alluring beauty and has managed to provide enough solace to women in need.

Overview:
The Netherlands manages to be highly safe and friendly for women of all ages. The cases of sexual violence and other types of misbehavior on women have also been minimal for a long time. It is even safe for women to walk alone at night without thinking twice. Did you also know that the Netherlands has many basic women’s rules that people follow here every step of the way? So, the risks are hardly noticeable.

#7 Germany

Germany is one of the safest countries in the world for women today. According to some sources, there has been a substantial increase in women’s safety in the past few decades here.

Overview:
For most female solo travelers, the country is entirely safe and enjoyable. The crime rates here have also been reported below. That is why women who love walking in the streets of Germany alone and enjoy an occasional time of solitude can come here without any hesitation. It is bound to fetch you the serenity you need.

#8 Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places ever to exist globally, and it is also the most romantic and one-of-a-kind place to visit.

Overview:
Switzerland is the seventh most peaceful nation in the world. So, you can naturally expect all the calmness possible. That is why crime rates and any violence against women are observed here at minimal. As such, it is fair to conclude that Switzerland too is a great place for solo travelers to breathe in peace and with minimal fear of anything.

#9 Finland

Finland is another country on this list known for being the best place for a single woman to live. So, women here can work both full-time and part-time without worrying about the odd working hours.

Overview:
If you are a solo traveling woman, wondering whether it is safe to come here for a memorable trip, you can do so without any second thinking. Sources suggest that Finland was also the first European country to offer women the right to vote.

#10 Australia

Earlier Australians reported common physical acts of violence. However, the cases have narrowed down considerably. As such, it is safe to say that now even Australia has become one of the best places for a single woman to live.

Overview:
Each day, the number of single women or solo-traveling women to Australia increases. As such, we can easily conclude that the dangers have exponentially reduced, leaving you with a safe experience upon your arrival.

What Else You Need To Know About the Safest Countries for Women To Travel Alone

All of these safest countries for women to travel alone are spectacular, and they are bound to make every woman’s dream come true of experiencing traveling solo at some point in life.

In these countries, you can enjoy traveling freely from one place to another without having to worry about safety.

However, note that there are no guarantees, especially in alone vacations and trips and that no place, including home, is completely safe. What women can do is make sensible decisions, do their homework, exercise caution, and enjoy themselves to the fullest because the rest is out of their control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canada the safest country in the world for women?

Canada is acknowledged as the world’s safest country for women. Still, note that this might change depending on personal experiences and there are no guarantees.

What is the most safe country for a woman in world?

Although there is no guarantee to the world’s safest country for women, we can say that most Scandinavian countries are safe for women. Canada is another safest place for women in world.

What is most safe country for women’s rights?

Again, many Scandinavian countries have progressed when it comes to women’s rights. The Netherlands is known to be safe too.

Which countries allow abortion?

There are over 70 countries that allow abortion, including France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Greece.

Revealed: the safest destinations in the world for travellers in 2023

When you’re travelling, safety is obviously of utmost importance – especially if you’re a solo traveller, and even more so if you’re travelling as a member of a marginalised community. B ut which destinations around the world are the safest right now?

There are a few rankings out there that look at safety. One, the Post Office Travel Insurance Safety Index, ranks destinations on how safe they are for solo travellers. By analysing stuff such as crime rates, the quality of medical care, rates of traffic deaths and WHO food safety ratings, the Post Office came out with ten of the world’s safest cities.

By those metrics, top of the pile came Seattle in Washington state, USA, followed by the Japanese capital of Tokyo and Portland in the US state of Oregon. Here’s the full list of the world’s safest cities for individual travellers, according to Post Office Travel Insurance.

You can read the full safety index from the Post Office here, which also has a bunch of tips for travelling on your own.

But that isn’t the only safety ranking out there. Another study by security company Get Licensed ranked cities around the world based on similar factors, but also took into account things like LGBT social acceptance and levels of terrorism.

In this study, the top spot was taken by Reykjavik in Iceland, which isn’t too much of a surprise. The Icelandic capital topped a similar safety ranking last year, thanks in part to it apparently having no terrorist threat and a very high level of LGBT acceptance.

Next in Get Licensed’s list is Bern in Switzerland, thanks partly to its low homicide rate, followed by Bergen in Norway. Here’s the full list of the safest cities in the world, according to Get Licensed.

You can read Get Licensed’s full research yourself here.

Yet another study by gambling site (after all, who wants to gamble with their safety?) Gamblino has ranked countries in Europe based on factors like crime, natural disaster risk and their placing on the Global Peace Index.

Switzerland topped that study, scoring well on all fronts, followed by Iceland and Norway. Here are the rest of the top ten.

As you can see, certain places pop up on all three lists. But as always, it’s worth taking these rankings with a pinch of salt. Plenty of destinations not on these lists are often perfectly safe – just as plenty of places can be dangerous in the wrong circumstances.

In any case, safe travels! Now, check out our list of the best European city breaks for 2023.

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• Ed Cunningham Writer