The relentless onslaught of global events from war in Europe to a wider conflict emerging in the Middle East can make it feel like few places on Earth are safe – but they are out there
War in Europe, escalating tensions in the Middle East and a reshaping of the post-WWII global order has sparked fears of nuclear war that could end life as we know it, with many wondering what countries are the safest in an increasingly dangerous world.
Russia’s war in Ukraine shattered decades of peace in Europe with the UK and allies scrambling to increase defence spending to deter Moscow from further westward expansion. The missiles volleys and air strike exchange between Iran and Israel further highlighted the fragile situation in the Middle East after Tehran was accused of attempting to manufacture enough uranium to make nuclear weapons.
Unsurprisingly, an increasingly dangerous world has shifted leaders onto a war footing with Keir Starmer now looking to purchase at least 12 F-35 stealth bombers to bolster Britain’s nuclear deterrence. But across the Atlantic, Americans also fear an emerging conflict with a July 2024 YouGov poll finding last year that 62 per cent of 36,421 surveyed US adults respondents believed a major war would happen “within the next 10 years.”
A bleak outlook has no doubt led many people to ponder which countries are the safest in the world, particularly amid fears of a major war. Here are the 10 safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index which measures the relative position of nations based on their apparent levels of peacefulness.
10: Finland
The Nordic country of Finland made the top 10 with an overall score of 1.42 on a scale of 1 to 5, with the lower a score indicating the more peaceful the country. Despite being on Russia’s doorstep, the country earned its ranking thanks to a relatively low homicide rate, low political terror scale, low political instability and low violent crime rates.
But Finland was denied a higher ranking due to its comparatively high military expenditure, given its proximity to an increasingly aggressive Russia. This was also a major factor in not giving Finland a lower score as its relations with Russia were considered not peaceful, as Moscow may view its former duchy as ripe for territorial expansion.
9: Slovenia
Slovenia is a small country nestled between regional the European regional powers of Italy, Austria and Hungary. The Global Peace Index gave the former Yugoslavia member state a score of 1.409 based on its low criminality, homicide rate, political instability as well as its overall safety and security.
Following a brief conflict during the collapse of Yugoslavia, Slovenia was recognised as an independent nation and has been a member of the European Union since 1992. It has gone on to have a relatively high-income economy with multiple sectors.
8: Denmark
Denmark has cultivated a progressive image over the decades and has been named on several occasions as the happiest country on Earth with one of the most liveable capital cities, in Copenhagen. The Scandinavian country earned a score of 1.393 due to low criminality, homicide rates and political instability.
It was not all praise from the index though, with the organisation giving it higher marks for its large number of weapons imports and experts as well as its relations with neighbouring countries.
7: Portugal
Portugal might be known as a lovely holiday option for many Brits but it was also praised on the peace index for relatively low crime rates, terrorism impact and its overall safety and security. The Iberian country was awarded a score of 1.371 due to its overall safety.
But a medium level police rate and a comparatively higher political terror scale compared to other top 10 nations saw it fail to find a higher place on the list.
6: Singapore
The Southeast Asian city state of Singapore is the first country to make the list that is outside Europe. The tiny nation underwent rapid economic advancement after WW2 and is considered to be a major power in relation to its size and drew favourable remarks from British politicians who wanted to make the UK post-Brexit appear more like the country in regards to its economy.
It landed a score of 1.357 on the Global Peace Index thanks to a low crime rate, access to firearms as well as its safety and security. But Singapore earned the highest marks, which are viewed as less peaceful, for its weapons imports and higher points for its military expenditure and militarisation.
Joint 4: Austria
Austria was given a score of 1.29 in the index due to low perceptions of criminality, a low crime rate and low impacts from terrorism. The country did get higher scores for its police rate and the population’s access to firearms.
Joint 4: Switzerland
Switzerland has long prided its neutral stance in regard to global affairs and is viewed as one of the safest places in the world due to this principle. The country also scored 1.29 on the index due to a low crime rate, political violence and cordial relations with neighbours.
The landlocked country did earn higher scores for its police rate, access to small arms and weapons exports.
3: New Zealand
The first, and only country, to make the list from Oceania is New Zealand. Despite having endured one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent history in 2019, the country has earned a reputation of being a safe country.
The Global Peace Index gave New Zealand a score of 1.28 due to a low crime and homicide rate as well as political violence. It did earn higher scores due to a higher level of weapons imports and perceptions of crime.
2: Ireland
Despite recent tensions around the rate of immigration and protests around it the country has earned its spot on the index with a score of 1.26. While perceptions of criminality and the police rate remain high, the incarceration and homicide rate in Ireland is relatively low.
Access to firearms remains does remain higher than it does with other nations on the list but low terrorism fears and good relations with neighbours see it remain in the second spot.
1: Iceland
It is no surprise that an island far away from most countries is considered one of the safest places on Earth, particularly amid fears of a nuclear war. Iceland holds an enviable score of 1.10 on the index and has been widely praised for its approach to egalitarianism as well as equality for its citizens.
The country also benefits from a incredibly low crime rate, access to firearms and political violence. General perceptions among the country’s citizens is that is is a safe place to live.