Ranked safest countries in the world to visit – In the past few of years, the globe has experienced a pandemic, a worldwide economic crisis, and now the Ukraine conflict. Therefore, it can be useful for travellers to know a country’s safety status before travelling there.
The Global Peace Index is an annual rating of the safest countries in the world compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
Due to the epidemic, the 2020 report indicated that the globe was less peaceful than the previous year, and the most recent report for 2021 indicates that worldwide peacefulness is still declining, albeit by only 0.07 percent; this is the ninth consecutive year that global peace has declined.
Several key takeaways exist:
Europe is home to eight of the top ten safest countries in the world, the greatest number of European nations to ever rank in the top ten.
Since 2008, Iceland has been the world’s most tranquil country; unsurprisingly, it also ranks third as the happiest nation. In 2021, the top five safest countries were New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, and Slovenia. Canada, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Czech Republic round out the top ten safest nations.
In North America, where increasing civic instability led to more violent demonstrations, the regional situation deteriorated the most. The United States is ranked 122, dropping one spot from the previous two years. (The United Kingdom is ranked 33)
The divide between the most and least peaceful nations continues to widen.
Afghanistan is the least peaceful nation in the world for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and Iraq.
The research explores 23 qualitative and quantitative factors and measures the level of peace in three domains: the amount of Safety and Security in Society; the scope of Current Domestic and International Conflict; and level of Militarization.
These factors include incarceration rates, homicide rates, deaths from internal conflict, views of criminality, etc., and a country is deemed safer with a lower overall score.
Condé Nast reported that there were at least 158 countries that recorded one or more violent incidents directly related to the pandemic between 2020 and 2021. The report makes it clear that the impact of Covid-19 on global peace is still unclear.
There were more protests and demonstrations about lockdowns, coupled with growing unease over the global economy, which led to more civil unrest and political instability. (During this time, about 5,000 violent outbreak-related incidents were recorded)
According to the research, “the wars and crises that occurred over the past decade have begun to subside, only to be replaced by a new wave of anxiety and uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic and escalating tensions between many of the world’s main nations.”
In the wake of the Ukraine conflict, it remains to be seen what will happen to these high European scores in the report for the next year.
Here is the list of countries according to the rank
10. Canada
Rank: 1.33
Despite being considerably larger than its southern neighbour, Canada rates significantly higher than the United States. The country reported a significant increase in hate crimes (especially against Asians) and its economy declined during the pandemic, but its overall score improved from the previous year due to decreased incarceration rates and a decline in weapons exports per capita.
9. Czechoslovakia
Rank: 1.3289
In terms of low crime rates, minimal military budget, and limited terrorism impact, the Czech Republic excelled. Even pickpocketing is not a significant issue in major cities like Prague, making this a verifiably safe destination to travel.
8. Republic of Ireland
Rank: 1.326
Despite some violent anti-lockdown demonstrations, Ireland is a newcomer to the top ten this year, rising three spots to enter at number nine. The country’s comparatively low crime rates, robust economy, and cheerful, hospitable citizens more than compensated for any pandemic hiccups.
7. Switzerland
Rank: 1.323
Switzerland, which was not among the top 10 countries in 2020, has risen to the top of the list this year due to its low crime rate and extremely high per capita income. It performed poorly in terms of weapons exports — in fact, it ranks among the ten highest weapons exporters per capita over the past five years – but it is obviously secure enough in other areas to be ranked so highly.
6. Austria
Rank: 1.317
Austria saw the second-largest decline in peacefulness in Europe (behind Greece) between 2020 and 2021, however it remains one of the safest countries. The decline in tranquilly was caused by a terrorist incident in Vienna in November 2020, but the government responded swiftly with new laws that closely monitors terror offenders.
The nation continues to receive high rankings for its robust economic climate and positive relations with its neighbours.
5. Slovenia
Rank: 1.315
Due to its extraordinarily low crime rates and terrorism danger, Slovenia entered the top ten for the first time in 2020 and remained there this year (it even moved up a notch). Slovenia has something for everyone, including a guarantee of a good night’s sleep, whether you’re simply interested in gorgeous areas or wish to tour some of Europe’s finest castles and lakes.
4. Portuguese
Rank: 1.267
In recent years, Portugal has made considerable advances toward peace. In 2014, the nation was emerging from a financial crisis and placed eighteenth on the GPI. Today, it is a shining example of economic revitalization and low crime rates.
Add to it a Mediterranean climate and reasonable healthcare, and it is easy to see why so many people choose to retire here.
3. Denmark
Result: 1.256
The most contentious issue in Denmark is whether it is preferable to spend the summer on the northern coast or to indulge in hygge during the winter. On the data front, the country shines out for its well-functioning government, minimal levels of corruption, and equitable resource distribution.
Another interesting fact? It is one of 29 nations where women are significantly happier with their own standard of living than males.
2. New Zealand
Result: 1.253
New Zealand has extremely minimal domestic and international conflict (at least in comparison to other nations), which is why the 2019 Christchurch massacre was such a shockingly tragic event. Thankfully, it has remained generally immune to Covid-19 in recent years. This year, New Zealand’s score declined somewhat due to a rise in weapons imports and military expenditures.
1.Iceland
Rank: 1.1
Iceland is once again the region’s and world’s most peaceful nation, a position it has held since the index’s establishment in 2008. The Nordic nation has some of the lowest military expenditures and foreign conflict rates in the world (the absence of common borders certainly helps), and its jail rate of 33 per 100,000 inhabitants is the lowest in Europe.
Published By : Chittajallu H S Kumar
Edited By : Kiran Maharana
