10 Safest Countries in the World (2023)
Whether you’re a digital nomad, retiree or just someone thinking about immigration, safety and security are always one of the most important factors you consider when choosing a country to move abroad.
Each year, regardless of what’s going on in the world, the Institute for Economics and Peace instigates a report on the global peace index, which indicates the ranking of the safest countries in the world.
A total of 163 countries are featured in this report, and it ranks each country’s level of safety based on 23 different indicators like internal and external threats, level of distrust, human well-being, environmental safety, political and economic stability, and more. In this article, we will briefly discuss the top 10 safest countries in the world according to this report.
#10. Japan
Japan has consistently appeared in the list of safest countries for almost two decades with high marks for low crime rates, minimal internal conflicts, and virtually non-existent political unrest. According to the safe cities index, its capital Tokyo was considered the safest city in the world in 2021. It ranked first in cyber security, second in health security, and fourth for infrastructure security and personal security. Japan has consistently been rated as one of the safest countries in the world after Singapore and Czech.
#9. Singapore
According to this year’s global peace index, Singapore is the safest country in Asia. It has long been a desirable destination for people all over the world – typically those working in trade and finance. In more recent years, its reputation as a safe, friendly, and efficient country has led experts of many kinds, including families and retirees to settle down to enjoy its high standard of living.
#8. Czech Republic
This is a beautiful country with a rich history in culture, its global peace index continues to improve each year. Although petty crimes and scams, especially in tourist areas remain a problem, overall crime rates have steadily decreased in recent years.
#7. Slovenia
Slovenia is a small central European country with a population of around 2 million. Despite its size, it consistently ranks high as one of the safest countries in the world, toping most of the global peace index charts. In 2021, it was ranked the 5th safest country in the global peace index, even though its safety index dropped a bit, it’s still an excellent performer compared to others.
#6 Portugal
Portugal is the oldest country in the Iberian Peninsula. Its medieval castles, stunning cities, and golden beaches combine luxury with natural beauty to deliver some of the most beautiful sights in the world. friendly locals and an attractive climate make it an ideal destination for families and retirees though seeking an inspiring place to live and work.
#5. Austria
Picturesque historical villages, modern cities, bustling waterways, and traditions of classical music, theatre, and gastronomy all attract ex-pats to Austria. For over a decade, it has always ranked in the top 5 of all safest countries due to its low crime rate, low unemployment rate, and a strong economy.
#4. Denmark
Denmark takes 4th position this year due to its low crime rate, environmental security, and high healthcare spending. The country is considered extremely safe and one of the safest countries on the planet. The risk of natural disaster such as earthquakes and collapse of coastal cliffs and mountains are almost inexistence.
Its citizens have little to worry about personal safety, violent crimes, and economic instability. Additionally, the country consistently ranks high in terms of livability and happiness, and its capital city, Copenhagen has been named the world’s safest city this year. The country is also committed to given its people freedom of speech to promote liberal social welfare. Denmark has an impressive cultural heritage and breathtaking architectures for anyone planning to visit this serene nation.
#3. Ireland
This year, Ireland jumped up five places and currently ranks as the third safest country in the world. This performance is quite impressive considering that the index considers a wide range of factors including political stability, crime, and economic welfare. Ireland is compared very safe when you look at other countries in Europe and in the world at large, if one of your concerns before visiting Ireland is security then you have almost nothing to worry about, provided you are ready to follow basic safety measures.
Also there are lots of interesting things to do in Ireland, While there are no country in the world that are completely safe but you can steer clear of unpleasant situations if you mind general safety rule as noted earlier. You can keep up with the local news for information on other aspects of safety such as driving, petty crime, parking safety and travel insurance and more.
#2. New Zealand
New Zealand remains the most peaceful country in the Asia-pacific region and the second most peaceful country overall. From stunning landscapes to stunning to sophisticated cities, and a laid-back approach to life, it has been long appealing for those wishing to relocate abroad. Its government is stable and there’s little to no political unrest with respect for human rights. The crime rate in New Zealand is just 0.7 per 100,000 people meaning the homicide rate is one of the lowest in the world.
The country and its people also have a peaceful and accommodating culture in their diversity they try to maintain equality among all which is great to foster peace in any society.
The low population density is another crucial factor that contributes immensely to the low crime rate, countries with more population density have higher crime rate because people in such communities are not closely invested in each other like it is the case with a country with low population density like New Zealand.
#1. Ice Land
The global peace index declares Iceland as the safest country in the world for the 15th year in a row. Although its major highlights are the northern lights and natural beauty, the small island nation has a lot of other factors that would be of interest to immigrants. It has a very low level of crime that’s typically attributed to its high standard of living, small population, strong social attitudes, a high level of trust in its well-trained authorities, and the lack of tension between social and economic classes. Moreover, it has no military and the police do not carry firearms with them – just shows how safe one can be living here.
