Safest Countries in the World Ranked by Peace Index (2024)

In an increasingly uncertain world, safety remains a top priority for travelers, expats, and global citizens alike. Each year, the Global Peace Index (GPI)—compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace—ranks 163 nations based on factors such as crime rates, political stability, militarization, and international conflict involvement. The 2024 Global Peace Index reveals the safest countries across the globe, providing crucial insights for those seeking peace of mind.

Top 10 Safest Countries in 2024

According to the latest GPI report, the following nations have emerged as the world’s most peaceful:

1. Iceland – Maintaining its #1 spot for over a decade, Iceland boasts low crime rates, strong social cohesion, and minimal military presence.
2. Denmark – With a high level of political stability, strong institutions, and low levels of corruption, Denmark is a model of peace.
3. Ireland – Rising in the rankings, Ireland’s neutrality and low domestic conflict secure its place among the safest.
4. New Zealand – Known for its friendly population and low crime rate, New Zealand continues to perform well.
5. Austria – With a strong commitment to diplomacy and security, Austria ranks highly for internal safety.
6. Singapore – An urban powerhouse, Singapore is one of the safest cities globally due to strict law enforcement and efficient governance.
7. Portugal – This Western European gem scores well thanks to low violence levels and stable governance.
8. Slovenia – A consistent performer on peace metrics, Slovenia offers a quiet and secure living environment.
9. Switzerland – With its neutrality and high standard of living, Switzerland remains one of Europe’s safest havens.
10. Czech Republic – Minimal internal conflict and solid social structures contribute to its high peace score.

Why the Peace Index Matters

The GPI doesn’t just reflect a country’s safety; it also correlates with economic stability, social trust, and development. Nations ranked higher on the peace index often enjoy stronger economies, better healthcare, and higher levels of personal freedom.

Canada and the U.S. in the Rankings

Canada continues to rank as one of the safest nations in the Americas, typically within the top 15, thanks to low internal conflict and good governance. The United States, meanwhile, ranks significantly lower—outside the top 120—due to factors such as gun violence, political polarization, and global military involvement.

Safest Countries in the World in 2024:

Rank	Country	Score	Change from Previous Year
1	Iceland	1.095	↔
2	Ireland	1.26	↔
3	New Zealand	1.282	↑ 2
4	Austria	1.294	↓ 1
5	Switzerland	1.294	↓ 1
6	Singapore	1.357	↔
7	Portugal	1.371	↑ 1
8	Denmark	1.393	↓ 1
9	Slovenia	1.409	↔
10	Finland	1.42	↑ 1
11	Czechia	1.435	↑ 2
12	Japan	1.44	↑ 3
13	Malaysia	1.469	↓ 1
14	Netherlands	1.491	↔
15	Canada	1.491	↓ 5
16	Belgium	1.492	↑ 4
17	Hungary	1.5	↓ 1
18	Australia	1.505	↑ 1
19	Croatia	1.519	↓ 1
20	Germany	1.533	↓ 3
21	Bhutan	1.536	↔
22	Latvia	1.558	↑ 5
23	Lithuania	1.558	↑ 5
24	Estonia	1.559	↓ 2
25	Spain	1.578	↔
26	Mauritius	1.586	↓ 3
27	Qatar	1.593	↓ 1
28	Slovakia	1.609	↑ 1
29	Bulgaria	1.61	↑ 1
30	United Kingdom	1.634	↑ 2
31	Kuwait	1.642	↔
32	Norway	1.644	↓ 8
33	Italy	1.662	↑ 1
34	Montenegro	1.685	↑ 5
35	Sweden	1.709	↓ 2
36	Poland	1.713	↓ 1
37	Mongolia	1.719	↑ 8
38	Romania	1.721	↓ 2
39	Vietnam	1.721	↑ 1
40	Taiwan	1.73	↓ 2
41	South Korea	1.736	↑ 2
42	Oman	1.738	↓ 5
43	Botswana	1.743	↓ 2
44	Timor-Leste	1.758	↑ 5
45	Greece	1.764	↓ 3
46	Argentina	1.768	↑ 5
47	Laos	1.783	↓ 3
48	Uruguay	1.784	↔
49	Indonesia	1.786	↑ 3
50	Namibia	1.789	↑ 4
51	North Macedonia	1.799	↓ 4
52	Albania	1.812	↓ 6
53	United Arab Emirates	1.812	↑ 2
54	Costa Rica	1.843	↓ 4
55	The Gambia	1.855	↑ 16
56	Kazakhstan	1.875	↑ 5
57	Sierra Leone	1.887	↑ 2
58	Armenia	1.893	↑ 10
59	Madagascar	1.895	↓ 6
60	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1.895	↓ 3
61	Ghana	1.898	↓ 3
62	Chile	1.899	↔
63	Kosovo	1.908	↓ 3
64	Serbia	1.914	↓ 1
65	Zambia	1.914	↓ 9
66	Moldova	1.918	↓ 2
67	Uzbekistan	1.926	↑ 2
68	Cyprus	1.933	↓ 1
69	Senegal	1.936	↑ 5
70	Liberia	1.939	↑ 6
71	Malawi	1.955	↑ 14
72	Jordan	1.957	↓ 2
73	Tanzania	1.965	↓ 8
74	France	1.967	↑ 5
75	Paraguay	1.981	↑ 2
76	Nepal	1.987	↑ 8
77	Angola	1.987	↓ 11
78	Kyrgyz Republic	1.988	↑ 5
79	Tajikistan	1.996	↑ 10
80	Dominican Republic	1.996	↑ 6
81	Tunisia	1.998	↓ 3
82	Equatorial Guinea	2.004	↑ 15
83	Bolivia	2.005	↓ 10
84	Panama	2.006	↑ 4
85	Morocco	2.012	↓ 3
86	Thailand	2.017	↓ 5
87	Cambodia	2.019	↓ 12
88	Turkmenistan	2.019	↑ 7
89	Trinidad and Tobago	2.02	↓ 17
90	Saudi Arabia	2.035	↑ 14
91	Rwanda	2.036	↑ 12
92	Algeria	2.042	↓ 1
93	Jamaica	2.047	↓ 13
94	Côte d’Ivoire	2.066	↓ 2
95	Azerbaijan	2.067	↑ 17
96	Peru	2.073	↑ 14
97	Sri Lanka	2.075	↑ 2
98	China	2.093	↓ 11
99	Eswatini	2.094	↓ 5
100	Bahrain	2.099	↓ 7
101	Guinea-Bissau	2.112	↓ 5
102	Cuba	2.123	↓ 2
103	Republic of the Congo	2.132	↓ 5
104	El Salvador	2.136	↑ 1
105	Philippines	2.148	↑ 6
106	Guyana	2.149	↔
107	Egypt	2.157	↑ 2
108	Guatemala	2.174	↔
109	Georgia	2.185	↓ 8
110	Mauritania	2.204	↓ 8
111	Nicaragua	2.207	↑ 2
112	Benin	2.211	↑ 5
113	Uganda	2.217	↑ 12
114	Zimbabwe	2.223	↑ 8
115	India	2.229	↔
116	Papua New Guinea	2.23	↓ 9
117	Gabon	2.238	↓ 1
118	Guinea	2.253	↑ 6
119	Lesotho	2.267	↑ 4
120	Belarus	2.267	↓ 2
121	Mozambique	2.273	↓ 7
122	Djibouti	2.276	↓ 2
123	Bangladesh	2.318	↓ 33
124	South Africa	2.347	↑ 3
125	Honduras	2.347	↓ 4
126	Togo	2.381	↓ 7
127	Kenya	2.392	↓ 1
128	United States	2.443	↔
129	Ecuador	2.459	↔
130	Brazil	2.472	↑ 1
131	Libya	2.478	↑ 1
132	Eritrea	2.542	↑ 1
133	Burundi	2.574	↓ 3
134	Chad	2.593	↔
135	Mexico	2.636	↑ 2
136	Lebanon	2.674	↓ 1
137	Cameroon	2.683	↑ 5
138	Ethiopia	2.688	↑ 5
139	Venezuela	2.692	↓ 3
140	Colombia	2.695	↑ 1
141	Haiti	2.731	↑ 3
142	Iran	2.75	↓ 4
143	Niger	2.759	↓ 4
144	Pakistan	2.797	↓ 4
145	Palestine	2.811	↑ 1
146	Turkiye	2.852	↑ 1
147	Iraq	2.862	↑ 3
148	Nigeria	2.869	↓ 3
149	North Korea	2.911	↔
150	Central African Republic	2.912	↓ 2
151	Somalia	2.983	↑ 3
152	Burkina Faso	3.016	↔
153	Myanmar	3.045	↓ 2
154	Mali	3.061	↓ 1
155	Israel	3.108	↔
156	South Sudan	3.117	↑ 2
157	Syria	3.184	↓ 1
158	Afghanistan	3.229	↑ 2
159	Yemen	3.262	↑ 3
160	Democratic Republic of the Congo	3.292	↓ 3
161	Sudan	3.323	↑ 2
162	Ukraine	3.434	↓ 3
163	Russia	3.441	↓ 2

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Conclusion

Whether you’re planning your next move, evaluating travel destinations, or simply curious about global safety trends, the 2024 Peace Index offers valuable guidance. Countries that invest in peace not only protect their citizens but also create environments that foster happiness, resilience, and prosperity.

Source

Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) – Global Peace Index 2024 Report