Top 10 Safest Countries in the World in 2025

When choosing where to build your life abroad, safety isn't just about feeling secure—it's about protecting everything you've worked to achieve. The wrong choice can expose your assets to political upheaval, your family to crime, and your investments to natural disasters that governments are unprepared to handle.

This analysis cuts through marketing brochures and tourism boards to reveal which countries actually deliver on their safety promises. Using hard data from the Global Peace Index, international crime statistics, and disaster preparedness assessments, we've identified where your personal security and financial future face the lowest risk—and highest potential for growth.

How Countries Rankings are Determined

The Global Peace Index (GPI), developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace, represents the most authoritative annual ranking of countries based on peacefulness levels. This sophisticated measure evaluates 163 independent states and territories using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three primary domains: ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization. For 2024, the Institute enhanced its methodology by introducing a new global military capability metric that incorporates sophistication, technology, and battle readiness assessments.

Iceland consistently tops global safety rankings, maintaining its premier position for over a decade according to the most recent GPI (2024).

These nations share common characteristics contributing to their exemplary safety profiles and economic stability, including robust social welfare systems, high standard of living, stable governance structures, and favorable investment environments for expats.

Despite these exceptional models, global safety has experienced concerning trends, with world peace metrics declining in thirteen of the past fifteen years. The 2023 GPI revealed a 0.42% deterioration in global peacefulness, while 2024 data indicates an accelerated decline of 0.56 percent—marking the fifth consecutive year of deterioration. This trend underscores the increasing value of nations maintaining superior safety standards for both residents and investors seeking secure environments for capital deployment.

Top 10 Safest Countries in the World

The correlation between safety and overall quality of life—including financial wellbeing—is significant.

Top-ranked nations typically achieve impressive standings in comprehensive life quality assessments while offering advantages for wealth preservation and growth.

For international investors, safety encompasses multiple dimensions beyond crime statistics, including political stability for investment security, digital infrastructure for financial transactions, healthcare accessibility to minimize unexpected expenses, and environmental conditions that protect physical assets.

1. Iceland

GPI Score: 1.095

A Consistent Leader in Safety and Financial Stability

Iceland has maintained its position as one of the safest countries in the world 2025, continuing its decade-long reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. This Nordic island nation combines remarkably low crime rates with a well-trained police force that rarely carries firearms, creating an environment of exceptional security for residents and investors alike. Iceland's small population (382,000 residents) and strong social cohesion contribute significantly to its safety record.

The country has become increasingly diverse, with over 20% of residents born overseas, while maintaining its cohesive social fabric. This unique community dynamic produces remarkable statistics—Iceland recorded just two homicides in 2021, among Europe's lowest murder rates. Beyond physical security, Iceland ranks as a role-model nation in digital safety according to the International Telecommunications Union's Cybersecurity Index—a critical consideration for experts managing assets electronically.

The country's healthcare system provides near-universal coverage through taxation, with patient contributions capped at €251 monthly and life expectancy reaching 82.6 years—exceeding the EU average by nearly two years, thus reducing long-term healthcare costs for expatriates. For investors, Iceland offers a stable banking system that has been completely restructured since the 2008 financial crisis, with heightened regulatory oversight providing enhanced security for deposits and investments.

The country's commitment to work-life balance, with shorter working hours than most developed nations, creates an environment where citizens can maintain productivity while enjoying exceptional quality of life.

2. Ireland

GPI Score: 1.260

Stability, Strong Economy, and Social Cohesion

Ireland ranks among the top 3 safest countries worldwide according to the Global Peace Index. Violent crime rates are very low, with homicide rates at just 0.6 per 100,000 people—well below the EU average. Citizens consistently report high levels of trust in law enforcement, which underpins a strong sense of community security.

Economically, Ireland has become a European powerhouse. In 2023, GDP per capita exceeded $112,000 USD, making it one of the wealthiest nations globally, driven by multinational headquarters in technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance. Dublin is ranked among the top European financial centers, creating significant opportunities for expatriates in professional services and investment.

Healthcare is delivered through a hybrid public-private system, ensuring accessibility while maintaining high standards of care. Combined with Ireland’s high-quality education system and social cohesion, expatriates benefit from both physical security and long-term financial stability.

3. New Zealand

GPI Score: 1.282

Safety in Isolation with Strategic Economic Advantages

New Zealand's geographical isolation and stringent border controls significantly contribute to its high safety ranking. The country offers a unique security advantage—unlike neighboring Australia with its numerous dangerous wildlife, New Zealand has no deadly species, eliminating a notable risk factor present in many other regions. For expats seeking asset diversification in a secure jurisdiction, New Zealand provides significant incentives through recently eased 'golden visa' regulations.

Though facing recent economic challenges, the country offers abundant opportunities in engineering, medicine, and financial services sectors. New Zealand's transparent regulatory environment ranks consistently among the world's least corrupt nations, providing investors with predictable operating conditions and strong property rights protections.

The nation's commitment to environmental protection enhances property values in many regions, while its focus on work-life balance and comprehensive social welfare contributes to workforce stability and productivity. 

4. Austria 

GPI Score: 1.294

Alpine Safety and Economic Resilience

Austria consistently ranks in the top 5 safest nations in the world according to the OECD country profile. Crime levels remain low, with one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe at 0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. Effective policing, strong community trust, and a reputation for neutrality further enhance national security.

The economy is highly resilient, with a GDP of $542 billion USD (2024) and GDP per capita of $59,000 USD, supported by industries such as renewable energy, tourism, and manufacturing. Vienna has been named the world’s most livable city multiple times by Mercer, thanks to its clean air, affordable housing, and efficient public services.

Austria’s healthcare system is ranked among the best in Europe, with universal access funded through social insurance contributions. Natural disaster risks are limited to minor Alpine avalanches and floods, which are carefully managed through world-class infrastructure. Expatriates benefit from a balanced environment combining safety, affordability, and high quality of life.

5. Switzerland

GPI Score: 1.294

Precision, Protection, and Private Banking Excellence

Switzerland combines stringent security measures with respect for individual liberties, creating an environment that feels both safe and free. The country's political neutrality and economic stability contribute significantly to its safety record and global reputation as a premier financial center. With a GDP of $885 billion and GDP per capita of $92,980, Switzerland's 8.88 million residents benefit from both economic prosperity and world-class security systems.

This economic strength enables continuous investment in safety infrastructure and social programs that reduce crime motivations while providing exceptional quality of life. Switzerland's exceptional safety record complements its robust economy focusing on finance, pharmaceuticals, and precision engineering—offering international professionals both security and outstanding career advancement potential.

Banking security remains world-renowned in Switzerland, extending beyond financial institutions to create a culture of security consciousness throughout society that protects both physical assets and digital information. Despite its mountainous topography, Switzerland maintains a remarkably low natural disaster risk through meticulous preparation.

Zurich earned the distinction of 2024's most liveable city globally, largely due to its outstanding public services and minimal crime rates.

6. Singapore

GPI Score: 1.357

State-of-the-Art Security and Financial Hub Excellence

Singapore stands as the safest country in Asia and frequently tops global safety rankings, also one of the safest and most peaceful places to live for those with high levels of wealth. Gallup's research confirms this stellar reputation, with Singaporeans reporting the highest sense of personal security worldwide and more positive experiences with law enforcement than citizens of any other nation. The city-state's strict legal system serves as a powerful deterrent to criminal activity, with significant penalties for even minor infractions.

Singapore now ranks first globally in the safety and security domain according to the Global Peace Index, surpassing even Iceland in this critical metric. The city-state is also recognized as one of the world's most digitally secure nations, creating a comprehensive safety environment that protects both physical and digital assets—a crucial consideration for residents managing sensitive information.

Singapore's comprehensive approach to security has helped the nation achieve a GDP of $561 billion and one of the world's highest GDP per capita rates at $153,610, creating a virtuous cycle where economic prosperity and safety reinforce each other for its 5.98 million residents. This economic strength is built upon Singapore's position as a global financial hub with exceptional regulatory standards, robust banking security, and tax efficiency for both individuals and corporations.

7. Portugal

GPI Score: 1.371

The European Peace Haven with Exceptional Tax Advantages

Portugal has emerged as one of the safest places to live in recent years, ranking seventh worldwide for safety in the 2024 Global Peace Index. The nation's low crime rates and welcoming attitude toward visitors and immigrants significantly contribute to its high safety ranking while creating accessible pathways for international investors. For high-net-worth individuals, Portugal offers exceptional advantages through its Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax program, providing a decade of preferential tax treatment.

This tax efficiency, combined with the country's affordable cost of living and pleasant Mediterranean climate, has transformed Portugal into a premier hub for remote workers and international investors. The small country's relaxed pace of life and strong sense of community foster a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

Cities like Lisbon and Porto combine historical charm with modern safety measures and growing fintech sectors, offering residents peace of mind while exploring vibrant cultural scenes and historical neighborhoods with strong property appreciation potential.

8. Denmark

GPI Score: 1.393

Social Trust and World-Leading Quality of Life

Denmark is consistently rated one of the world’s safest and happiest countries. According to the World Bank’s country overview, violent crime is minimal, with homicide rates below 0.8 per 100,000 people. Over 85% of Danes report feeling safe walking alone at night, one of the highest safety perception scores globally.

Economically, Denmark enjoys stability with a GDP per capita of $75,000 USD (2024). Its highly transparent government ranks in the top tier of the Corruption Perception Index, ensuring predictability for both residents and investors. Industries such as shipping, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy create robust job markets and investment opportunities.

Denmark’s universal healthcare system ranks among the most efficient in the EU, and its education system produces one of the world’s most skilled workforces. Combined with generous welfare provisions and strong work-life balance, Denmark offers expatriates unparalleled personal security and financial stability.

9. Slovenia

GPI Score: 1.409

A Rising Star in European Safety

Slovenia has emerged as one of Europe’s hidden gems for safety and stability, ranked among the top 10 globally in the European Commission’s economic profile. Violent crime is rare, with homicide rates at 0.5 per 100,000, among the lowest in the EU.

With a population of just over 2.1 million, Slovenia offers a small but highly stable environment. Its GDP per capita reached $38,000 USD in 2024, supported by sectors including services, manufacturing, and tourism. The country’s EU membership ensures strong legal protections and ease of doing business for international investors.

Healthcare is widely accessible, ranked above the EU average in patient satisfaction and outcomes. Expatriates are drawn to Slovenia for its affordability compared to Western Europe, robust infrastructure, and peaceful environment nestled between Austria, Italy, and Croatia. Natural disaster risks are minimal and well-mitigated, making it a safe long-term choice.

10. Finland

GPI Score: 1.420 

Low Crime and World-Class Governance

Finland is consistently in the top 5 safest nations worldwide according to the United Nations country profile. The country has one of the lowest crime rates globally, with a homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000, and enjoys exceptionally high levels of institutional trust and transparency.

Economically, Finland is highly advanced, with a GDP per capita of $65,000 USD in 2024 and strong sectors in technology, clean energy, and high-value manufacturing. It is also recognized as a global leader in cybersecurity, making it attractive for professionals managing digital assets abroad.

The healthcare system offers universal access and ranks among the best in Europe, while the education system is considered one of the finest globally, consistently topping OECD rankings. Finland also excels in sustainability—over 40% of its energy comes from renewable sources, reinforcing its long-term stability. Expatriates benefit from both an exceptionally safe environment and progressive governance designed to protect assets and enhance quality of life. 

Factors Contributing to National Safety and Financial Well-being

Several key elements work in concert to create safe and financially stable nations. Countries that prioritize social programs, education, healthcare, and effective governance consistently rank highest in global safety indices while providing superior environments for wealth preservation and growth.

1. Crime Rates and Investment Security

Crime rates represent a crucial indicator of national safety with direct financial implications. Countries with low rates of violent crime typically rank highly in global safety assessments and demonstrate stronger property values and investment security. Iceland's minimal crime statistics contribute significantly to its consistent top position while supporting stable asset appreciation and lower insurance costs.

Switzerland also maintains impressively low crime rates, further enhancing its standing among the world's safest nations and reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination for wealth preservation. Effective law enforcement strategies and progressive social policies play significant roles in crime prevention across top-ranked countries while creating environments where business operations face minimal disruption from criminal activity.

In contrast, nations with higher crime statistics face substantial challenges in ensuring resident security and investment stability. Property values in high-crime areas typically experience greater volatility and lower appreciation rates, creating additional risk factors for real estate investors and businesses. Security costs for both individuals and corporations also rise significantly in regions with elevated crime rates, impacting overall returns on investment.

2. Safety & Happiness

Research consistently demonstrates a strong link between safety, happiness metrics, and economic productivity. Nordic countries like Denmark, Finland, and Norway rank high in both safety and happiness indices, suggesting a significant relationship between security and life satisfaction that translates to workforce stability and business continuity.

These nations prioritize social welfare, education, and healthcare access for all residents. Low income inequality and high social trust contribute to both safety outcomes and overall life satisfaction. The relationship becomes cyclical, with safety enhancing happiness and community satisfaction reinforcing security, creating stable environments for both personal prosperity and business operations.

Citizens in safe countries experience less stress and anxiety related to crime concerns. This psychological security allows greater focus on personal growth, career development, relationships, and community engagement rather than self-protection. Safe environments foster increased community participation and outdoor activities, enhancing quality of life through social connection and physical wellbeing while supporting vibrant commercial districts and property values.

3. Political Stability and Economic Security

Political stability significantly impacts a country's comprehensive safety profile and financial environment. Stable governments typically provide more consistent security measures, reliable social services, and predictable regulatory frameworks, creating environments where residents experience greater security and investors face reduced policy risk. Nordic countries including Norway, Sweden, and Denmark rank highly in safety evaluations partly due to their exceptionally stable political systems.

These nations generally feature strong democratic institutions with high transparency that protect investor rights, effective governance with minimal corruption, low levels of political violence and extremism that might threaten asset values, and consistent policy implementation regardless of leadership changes. Nations experiencing frequent political upheavals or conflicts typically score lower on safety indices and present heightened investment risks.

Political instability often correlates with increased crime rates, reduced public service effectiveness, currency volatility, and unpredictable regulatory changes—creating cascading security challenges for both residents and investors. The United States exemplifies this relationship, ranking 131st in the 2023 Global Peace Index, with its position declining annually since 2016—a pattern attributed to decreasing life satisfaction, widening political divisions, and growing economic inequality.

The North American region recorded the largest regional deterioration in peacefulness among all global regions in 2024, with both Canada and the United States experiencing significant declines driven primarily by increases in violent crime rates and heightened public perceptions of criminality, factors that create additional considerations for asset allocation and risk management.

4. Governance, Regulatory Quality and Asset Protection

Stable, democratic governments contribute significantly to national safety and investment security. Transparent political systems with effective checks and balances help prevent corruption and ensure fair treatment of citizens, promoting institutional trust and reducing social tensions that might threaten asset values or business operations. Regulatory quality represents a critical factor for experts considering international relocation.

Countries with clear, consistent, and fairly enforced regulations provide predictable environments for both personal and professional financial management. Singapore and Switzerland exemplify this approach, with transparent regulatory frameworks that protect investor rights while maintaining efficient markets.

Military policies also impact comprehensive safety profiles and defense-related investment opportunities. Many of the world's safest countries maintain modest, defensive-focused military forces. These nations often prioritize diplomacy and international cooperation over militarization, allocating resources toward social services rather than defense spending, which typically results in more stable tax frameworks and fiscal positions.

A common factor among the world's safest nations is the presence of robust workplace safety legislation combined with cultures that foster trust and collaboration between workers and management—elements that reduce accident rates while enhancing overall productivity and social cohesion, creating positive environments for business operations and workforce management. Strict gun control laws are common in safe nations and correlate with reduced violent crime rates.

These regulations typically limit civilian access to firearms through comprehensive background checks, mandatory training, and restrictions on certain weapon types. For expatriates from countries with higher gun ownership rates, these strict controls often represent a significant adjustment but contribute to the overall sense of security that attracts experts to these destinations.

Challenges and Threats 

Even the safest countries face ongoing risks that can impact security, quality of life, and investment stability. These threats require vigilance and preparedness at both national and individual levels to maintain high safety standards and protect assets effectively.

Global safety conditions have deteriorated significantly since 2023

With 127 countries experiencing declining peace scores—the most extensive deterioration since the Global Peace Index began in 2008.

Ecuador has witnessed the most dramatic decline, nearly 50%, due to escalating gang and drug-related violent crime. Only 35 countries showed improved safety metrics, with Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Greece, and Mauritania demonstrating the most significant positive changes.

This global trend highlights the increasing value of jurisdictions that maintain exceptional safety standards and stable regulatory environments.

Terrorism Risks and Investment Implications

Terrorism remains a significant concern for countries worldwide with potential impacts on asset values and investment security. The Global Terrorism Index tracks trends and patterns in terrorist activity, providing valuable insights into evolving threats that might affect financial markets and property investments.

While some nations experience minimal incidents, the interconnected nature of modern society means no country is entirely immune from terrorism risks or their economic consequences.

Natural Disaster Risks

When evaluating a country's overall safety for both personal security and investment protection, natural disaster risk requires serious consideration. The World Risk Report Index identifies the Philippines as facing the highest risk globally, experiencing approximately 20 typhoons annually with damage costs reaching 18.1 billion Philippine pesos (£241 million) in 2023 alone.

Indonesia ranks second due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, while even developed nations like the United States face significant threats, with recent Los Angeles wildfires causing estimated damages between US$250-275 billion. Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of natural disasters globally.

Comprehensive Security: Protecting Persons & Assets

While residing in a physically safe country provides significant benefits, true security requires a holistic approach that protects both person and assets. The global nature of today's economy and legal systems means that even within the world's safest nations, individuals face potential risks to their financial wellbeing and long-term security.

Just as nations develop systems to ensure physical safety, prudent individuals develop strategies to ensure financial security. Offshore planning offers a complementary security measure that provides protection against unforeseen litigation and legal judgments, economic instability in home countries, changing regulatory environments, political uncertainty, and privacy concerns in an increasingly digital world.

By establishing offshore structures in carefully selected jurisdictions, individuals create a financial safety net that complements the physical security they enjoy in their country of residence. Beyond financial security, practical safety measures for international relocation include thorough destination research, cultural awareness to avoid inadvertent offense, consistent home security practices, medical preparedness including vaccination verification, and comprehensive contingency planning.

International health insurance provides critical protection, enabling access to private treatment for illnesses or injuries in your new location.

Creating Your Offshore Security Plan

With over 20 years of experience Offshore Protection specializes in developing bespoke international business strategies tailored to individual needs. Our unique position as a Panama-based firm offers significant advantages in maintaining client confidentiality and providing protection from foreign court judgments.