What Makes a Country Safe?
● Crime Rates and Public Safety
Humanity as a whole can agree upon the necessity that is placed on the sense of security felt in a space. The significance of it does not budge even when context shifts either between or throughout the idea of residence and travel. The meaning of security, here, extends in all directions; personal, financial, social, etc.
An increase in crime rate evokes fear within the population. It starts affecting daily life activities and can reach a stage where individuals are forced to compromise their way of living.
We have become a people that trusts in numbers. There are many countries that have worked hard to eliminate as much crime as possible. While wishing for a completely crime free society is a little utopic, it does not hurt to strive to reach an ideal. The GPI (Global Peace Index) is a unit of measuring the lack of crime in a country. A few countries have achieved impressively low numbers, like Iceland, Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand. These countries, along with many others, are making their way up to becoming some of the safest countries in the world.
● Political Stability
The political alignment of a country also has a great impact on the lives led by its citizens. While there might not be a great many complaints by the individuals who have lived their entire lives in that particular political set-up, those moving in after having differing lived experiences might find it difficult to settle in.
Political stability is an extremely important factor to consider while browsing through potential residence spots. Being another crucial factor that determines the safety a country provides, stability of the political state ensures the lack of involvement towards conflict and wars. Avoiding conflict helps the people of the country to remain at peace and not be under danger.
Political stability also allows faith and trust to grow between the country’s political authorities and its people. This can be attained by identifying and eliminating corruption that authorities may indulge in. Null corruption is not achieved easily, yet there are many countries that are slowly reaching their goals in this aspect, few of them being Denmark, Finland, and Singapore.
● Military Conflicts
The military of a country becomes both the sword and the shield to its people at the time of crisis. They are the reliant front that protects the country and its people. Conflict in the sector can cause great trouble for the residents. This threat revolves not only on the physical safety of the population, but also around the resources and infrastructural aspects of the country.
A country whose state of military is stable promises safety to the population, all the while being ready and prepared for any situation that arises.
● Natural Disasters
Natural disasters, when they hit, are unavoidable. The best attempt at minimising damage caused by natural disasters is to be prepared early-on. Development of technology has also produced devices that are able to track particular disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. These have helped identify threats before the event, and helped evacuate areas and minimise damage.
There are many countries, like Japan, Switzerland and Cuba, that have found various ways to deal with nature disasters. Japan is prone to earthquakes, thus has developed infrastructures and equipment that stand against earthquakes. Switzerland and Cuba have impressive means of disaster evacuations in cases of avalanches and floods, respectively.
● Healthcare Quality
The development of medicine and healthcare has improved drastically. Increasing studies and research on healthcare has been funded generously by the population and that has helped millions of lives around the world. Medical facilities are a vital resource that a country can have in its bag.
Some countries have developed their medical facilities and healthcare services to reach heights incredible enough that patients across the world are willing to travel great distances just to receive high quality medical attention and services. Japan, Sweden, and Taiwan are some of the countries that have upped their game in the medical sector.
● Infrastructure and Road Safety
Infrastructure not only physical spaces for a myriad of human activities, they also add on to the aesthetic value of the country. Countries like Singapore and Japan made impressive advancements in the infrastructure sector. Switzerland is also a leading name in the same category. These countries have not only made their infrastructures a matter of great appreciation, they have also undertaken measures to ensure the safety of these infrastructures.
Being prepared for any situation is vital. Along with having an eye out for safety on infrastructures, there is heavy emphasis placed on safety on roads as well. Quick actions and measures of disaster control increase the safety of individuals, all the while encouraging individuals to be precationate of danger.
Safest Countries to Live in 2025: Overview
Global Peace Index (GPI) – Top 25 Countries
| Rank | Country | GPI Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 1.112 |
| 2 | Ireland | 1.3033 |
| 3 | Austria | 1.313 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1.323 |
| 5 | Singapore | 1.339 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 1.35 |
| 7 | Portugal | 1.372 |
| 8 | Denmark | 1.382 |
| 9 | Slovenia | 1.395 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 1.427 |
| 11 | Canada | 1.449 |
| 12 | Czech Republic | 1.459 |
| 13 | Finland | 1.474 |
| 14 | Hungary | 1.502 |
| 15 | Croatia | 1.504 |
| 16 | Belgium | 1.51 |
| 17 | Japan | 1.525 |
| 18 | Netherlands | 1.527 |
| 19 | Australia | 1.536 |
| 20 | Germany | 1.542 |
Top 10 Safest Countries to Live in 2025
Iceland
Known for the dashing sceneries and extraordinary locations, Iceland is a country that is on everyone’s “to-visit” list. This Nordic country is also known for the wide range of literature and art that it produced. Iceland also holds the position of having a very high GDP, thus ranking as very high on the list of developed countries. Iceland’s climatic conditions also make space for skiing and snowboarding. Fishing is also a prominent activity one can undertake while on the beautiful lands of Iceland.
Ireland
The country that produced some of the most famous pieces of literature, Ireland is next on the list of the world’s safest countries. This beautiful land is located in north-west Europe. Aside from its unmistakably huge contributions towards art and literature, the country also has one of the most successful tourism industries that makes it an attraction of visit to many across the globe. It is visited by thousands of individuals every year, thus proving that it is an enjoyable and safe visit.
Austria
Located in central Europe, Austria stands proudly on the Global Peace Index with one of the lowest crime rates. This is thanks to the strong legal system of the country. Austria is also famous for its cuisine, providing a quite insightful and delightful trip for all the food enthusiasts that plan on visiting the country. Austria gets covered in blankets of snow, thus making snowboarding and skiing great choices of activities to indulge in. The country is a consistent holder of high GDP and has also made note-worthy advancements in industrial output, making it financially stable.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a gorgeous island country located in the pacific ocean. The people of this country are, predominantly, English speakers, thus making communication easier in terms of foreign visits. The country has achieved multiple milestones in making their education system one of a kind and lies on impressive spots on global lists. New Zealand is also ranked as one of the countries with the least crime rate all across the world. This concretise the New Zealand’s position as one of the safest countries
Singapore
A fan favourite destination for tourists, Singapore is a lovely country in southeast Asia. Known for its lavish cuisine and breathtaking infrastructures, Singapore stands tall with an impressively strong economic performance. The country’s low criminal rate and position on the GPI proves its ethos as one of the safest countries on the planet. Singapore has a huge tourism industry, which is a marginal contributor to the country’s national income. It is a scenic and joyful trip, all the while providing tight safety and security of oneself.
Switzerland
The birthplace of fondue, Switzerland is next on the list of the safest countries in the world. Continuing on the example of fondue, Switzerland is known for its cuisine, along with the wide variety of literature that the country has produced. Switzerland is also a sight to behold with its mountain ranges and surprising duality between snowy and warmer weather. The country takes pride in having one of the most efficient education systems across the globe. It also has nurtured a remarkable health and medical system over the past few decades.
Portugal
Portugal is one of the most developed countries in the world. The astounding infrastructure and technological development makes Portugal one of the highest tourist spots. The country is also home to some of the football legends renowned across the globe. The country ranks seventh on the GPI in 2025, the unit being an applaudable 1.372. Portugal is also known for its history in paintings and other art forms. The country tops it all off with its wide range of delicacies and cuisines, which are rooted deeply in the culture of the people.
Denmark
Denmark is a nordic, north European country known for its social progressive nature. Like other countries on the GPI, Denmark too has a low crime rate. Along with its crime rate, Denmark has a stable political state and focuses on the development of the country in the modern era. They embrace their culture through art and literature and have a collection of beautiful pieces of architecture. There is very low risk of natural disasters in the Danish regions which is another contributing factor of its position as a safe country to live in.
Slovenia
A central European country, The Republic of Slovenia stands next in the list of the safest countries to live in. This beautiful country showcases a wide range of geographical terrains as sites of attractions. The mountain ranges and cliffs are definitely a sight to behold alongside the festivities that are deeply rooted in Slovenian culture. Slovenia’s economy is highly developed making it the richest amongst all other Slavic countries. The culture, art, architecture and scenic beauty, along with the economic status and low criminal rates make Slovenia an amicable choice of residence.
Malaysia
Last on the list of the safest countries in the world to live in is Malaysia. The country has been another close first on every list of tourist spots. Rich in its culture and heritage, Malaysia is a breathtaking experience that provides a middle ground between tradition and modernity. Malaysian cuisine is known for playing with bold flavours. The country has a strong legal system and enacts in time against criminal activities, thus having a high rank on the GPI.
The Safest Cities in the World
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Rightfully known for having buildings that touch the sky, Abu Dhabi has some of the most beautiful and awestrucking infrastructure in the whole world. Abu Dhabi has one of the highest GDP in the world. It has consistently been the safest city in the world with a very low crime rate, which is ensured thanks to the strict legal system. Abu Dhabi provides some of the best utility services in the world making it an unrivalled residential choice.
Tokyo
Japan’s capital city is known for its highly developed infrastructure and impressive technological advancements. The city also embraces the traditional ways of Japan and is a great place for residence. Japanese individuals put heavy emphasis on politeness and etiquettes and Tokyo’s way of living follows suit. Aside from aesthetic pleasure, Tokyo is also one of the busiest and most efficient metropolitan cities in the world. Work culture is of great significance and that shows in the daily routines of those living in Tokyo. Tokyo also has a very low rate of crime and thus, marks itself as the safest city in the world.
Singapore
This country-city is known for its ways of hustle-bustle. Singapore has some of the world’s finest infrastructural developments, all the while sticking closely to its traditional ways. The city provides some of the best delicacies and is greatly in touch with other cultures due to globalisaton. It is also on the tenth position of the Global Peace Index, thus making the country-city one of the safest cities to live in.
Osaka
Osaka is a Japanese city that is very deeply rooted in its cultural traditions. The city is one of the most populated ones in Japan. Similar to Tokyo, Osaka is also very well developed in terms of infrastructure and urbanisation. The city is vibrant and follows a lifestyle that is filled with aesthetically pleasing activities of art and festivals along with mouthwatering Japanese delicacies along with malls and shopping centres. The city hones its relations with theatre and other art forms. Osaka also has highly developed health services along with a low crime rate that make it an incredibly viable place to live in.
Amsterdam
The capital city of the Netherlands is known for the famous tulip festival that the city hosts. Amsterdam is the most populated city of the Netherlands. Viewing it from an altitude, one sees the intricate patterns that canals create all across the city, making it look like a piece of art. Amsterdam ranks quite high in the list of the safest cities in the world. There is a wide range of parks and visiting places, making it an ideal space for aesthetic pleasure.
Sydney
This Australian city is climbing the ladder to reach the global economy with the fast paced development in the sector. Sydney has a huge number of buildings and infrastructures that are deeply rooted in the culture’s interest and focus towards art and music. The architecture is highly sought out while touring the city because of their significance in the city’s history. The city has a very successful healthcare system in place as well. Sydney also has a very low crime rate and is one of the safest cities in terms of criminal activities.
Toronto
This is Canada’s most populated city. With an economy that stands as one of the strongest in the world, Toronto has an extremely successful business and finance base. It is also a very big tourist hub, attracting them with the multiple events and festivities. The city has been maintaining a low crime rate for a long time, and is one of the safest cities in North America. Food culture of Toronto is diverse and colourful, with the mindset of “something for everyone”, making it an endearing city to dwell in.
Washington D. C.
Washington D. C. is the capital city of the United States of America. The city is known for the numerous museums it houses, along with the architectural and artistic engagement by the city folks. The city is also traversable on foot, making it incredibly accessible. Washington D. C. has been seeing a steep drop in its crime rates, making it gradually more suitable for living. The city has a big tourist base and is visited by thousands for vacations.
Copenhagen
The capital and the most populous city of Denmark, Copenhagen is the economic centre of the country with its ever evolving service and finance sectors. The city has the most number of eateries in the whole world. Copenhagen has an immersive and rich nightlife culture, along with many festivals. The city also provides high quality healthcare with the aim to make life healthier for individuals by encouraging them to undertake healthy activities. Also starring a low criminal rate, Copenhagen is a safe choice while house hunting.
Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea. The city has seen a massive rise in popularity as a result of increased globalisation of the K-pop industry. The city is known for its impressive infrastructure and the modern aesthetic that it embraces throughout the geographic location. It is one of the safest cities in terms of criminal rate. The city is a tourist attraction with its high rise buildings and creatively built structures, making it quite an aesthetically pleasing sight. Seoulites have a strict work culture which makes the city very productive and busy. All these aspects are topped off with the wide variety of food and beverages, traditional, Western and fusion, one can find in the city.
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