Bucket list destinations: World’s safest countries

Everyone wants to feel safe while on vacay. Here’s a list of the world’s safest countries to visit in 2023…

By: Lorne Philpot

With the world having moved past the pandemic, countries have reopened their borders and many of the world’s international airlines have begun ramping up their flight operations almost to levels seen before the world closed down almost three years ago, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  

Safety is always a major factor when deciding to visit a country. A lack of safety can be a deal breaker for international travellers, who generally opt for places with higher safety standards so they know they will be safe while visiting destinations.

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REVIVAL OF TOURISM

Having been kept out of countless destinations for extended periods due to flight and entry bans as well as the suspension of visa programmes, South Africans are eager to get out there again to see the world and check things off their bucket lists.

The world has reopened, with many countries desperate to earn tourist dollars and resuscitate their tourist industries.

Pent-up demand for travel and tourism, as well as a desire to visit family and friends abroad after long periods of being unable to visit certain destinations is now causing a spike in demand for tourism and international travel.

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SAFEST DESTINATIONS

World Population Review has produced a report entitled the Safest Countries In The World 2023.  The report is created with data derived from the Global Peace Index, which is published annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace after it compiles data to rank the world’s safest and most peaceful countries.   

A total of 163 countries are ranked according to 23 different indicators that measure attributes such as the absence of violence in the country.  These indicators include both internal and external violent conflicts, level of political instability, potential for terrorist acts, number of homicides, level of violent crimes, military expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product, and ease of access to small arms and light weapons, according to Travelawaits.

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SAFEST COUNTRIES FOR 2023

Here are the top 10 safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index.

1. ICELAND

At the top of the list is Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland has been the safest country in the world for the 14th year in a row.

“Iceland has a low level of crime, which is typically attributed to its high standard of living, small population, strong social attitudes against crime, a high level of trust in their well-trained police force, and a lack of tension between social and economic classes,” according to World Population Review.

Two other factors contribute to Iceland’s high state of peacefulness. Firstly, Iceland’s police do not carry firearms. Secondly, Iceland has a number of laws that guarantee equality, including those mandating legal same-sex marriage and same-sex adoptions, religious freedom, and equal pay for men and women.

2. NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has a very low crime rate, and violent crime is extremely rare, according to World Population Review.

“New Zealanders are generally open-minded and the country has laws in place to prevent the violation of anyone’s freedom of speech or expression,” World Population Review continues. “As in Iceland, police in New Zealand do not carry personal firearms.”

3. IRELAND

Ireland has been moving up the ranks. The country moved from number 11 on the Global Peace Index to number 3 in 2022.

“Crime is quite low outside of a few city neighborhoods (and as in any country, one should be wary of pickpockets and scammers in tourist-dense areas), and there is little threat of cultural violence or terrorism,” World Population Review notes. “In fact, the Irish landscape may pose a greater safety risk than its people — the country’s breathtaking cliffs and winding country roads must be treated with respect, especially during a sudden rainstorm or in areas with no cell reception.”

4. DENMARK

Denmark has a high level of equality and a strong sense of common responsibility for social welfare — two qualities that contribute to its citizens’ feelings of safety and happiness.

“Denmark is one of the few countries where people feel safe at any time of day or night, even children,” according to World Population Review.

5. AUSTRIA

“While violent demonstrations in the wake of ongoing social unrest remain a concern, these are relatively easy to avoid and otherwise, Austria is a very safe country to visit,” according to World Population Review. “Serious crimes are uncommon (with the usual caveat to watch for pickpockets and purse-snatchers).”

Another reason for Austria’s high peacefulness score is that there have been no major acts of terrorism there in recent years.

6. PORTUGAL

Portugal ranked 18th on the Global Peace Index in 2014, and since then, it has climbed up the ranking.

Interestingly, unlike some other countries known for their peacefulness, Portugal’s police force is armed. In this case, however, the presence of armed police has led to a decreasing crime rate.

“In recent years, Portugal has experienced an economic resurgence, decreasing its unemployment rate from more than 17 percent to less than 7 percent,” World Population Review points out. “Portugal consistently ranks among the best countries for retirement, due in no small part to its high level of safety.”

7. SLOVENIA

One of the former members of Yugoslavia and now a member of the European Union, Slovenia owes its high safety ranking to high travel security, low medical risks, and high road safety scores.

“Like many Slavic states, Slovenia installed a democratic government in the mid-1990s and is now focused upon improving quality of life in many areas, including safety and sustainability,” according to World Population Review.

8. CZECH REPUBLIC

“Crime rates in the Czech Republic have steadily decreased over the years, with rates of violent crime in particular dropping significantly,” World Population Review states. “The Czech Republic also has a low incidence of terrorism and natural disasters.”

Other factors accounting for its peacefulness and citizens’ well-being are that the Czech Republic also “boasts many clean and efficient hospitals and a state-run health insurance system that offers affordable rates and enables near-universal coverage,” World Population Review continues.

9. SINGAPORE

Singapore, which is actually a city-state, is an island country located off the coast of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It consists of Singapore Island and several smaller islands.

“Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, possibly due to the severe penalties that are issued for even small crimes,” World Population Review points out. “The government and police strictly control guns and other firearms, and violent and confrontational crimes are rare in Singapore.”

10. JAPAN

Japan has ranked among the top 10 safest countries on the Global Peace Index for 14 years.

It consistently receives high scores for low crime rates, minimal internal conflict, and virtually non-existent political unrest, according to World Population Review. What’s significant is that these scores exist despite the country’s proximity to its potentially hostile neighbours China and North Korea.

“Japan is known for having limited immigration and limited access to firearms, as the Japanese do not view carrying a firearm as an individual’s right,” World Population Review says.

CONDITIONS FOR PEACE

The world’s safest countries share many similarities. Countries that are the most peaceful have a number of commonalities such as high levels of wealth, social welfare, and education.

There is little hope for South Africa which ranks outside of the top 100 positions. SA records high crime rates as a result of the country’s economic state.

Neighbouring countries including Botswana and Namibia rank 48th and 68th respectively, while SA comes in at 118^th.

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