When it comes to traveling and living abroad, safety is a huge concern especially today when there is more than wars and crime to worry about.
Fortunately, the world has become much more peaceful in recent years with most countries showing improvement on their safety index, but if you want to still play it safe (no pun intended!) you need to check out this article.
We have an unexpected war in Europe and things are tense in Taiwan also… so things could’ve been better, but overall we’re still living some of the most peaceful times in earth’s history.
The following list includes the top 10 safest countries in the world for travelers and expats, both in terms of crime and general violence, but also in terms of how safe they are in the health department – which is also extremely important nowadays with all those viruses roaming around.
If you don’t want to go in-depth with the article, you can simply check them now. The safest countries to live or travel to are Singapore, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Switzerland, and Austria.
What are the safest countries in the world today?
If you’re making plans for this year and choose your next destination based on how safe it is, it’s time to go in depth and check out which are the safest countries you can visit (and why they are considered safe this year).
1. Singapore
With really low crime rates and almost no violence, Singapore is the number one country on my list. Clean, with a great culture and generally considered an amazing place to live in (albeit expensive), it’s THE place to be in this year.
Here you have plenty of options for spending your free time – from culture to really amazing bars and restaurants, as well as proximity to some of the most beautiful places on earth.
If, on the other hand, you don’t want to spend a lot and you don’t really care that much about complete safety in all areas, you can check out my list of the cheapest countries to live in.
They’re all still pretty safe and completely amazing, coming at a fraction of the price.
2. Iceland
Number two on this list is Iceland, another place that’s perfect for those who are prioritizing safety when it comes to choosing their next destination.
Living in Iceland is not only affordable (at least compared to Singapore), but it also offers plenty of opportunities for work and travel alike.
Iceland is, for the past several years (at least) in the top three of the safest destinations and unless something catastrophic happens, I don’t see that changing soon.
Iceland is peaceful, beautiful, and rich in culture. Whether you’re looking forward to seeing gorgeous landscapes or having fun at one of the many festivals held there, Iceland is the place to be in this year.
3. Japan
If you want to live in a country that’s safe and offers an outstanding quality of life with great healthcare and access to the most modern technologies, Japan is the one you’re looking for.
Japan’s economy is doing great and it has a rich cultural heritage which you can enjoy no matter where in the world you’re from. This means that it is also a bit more expensive to live in – like all countries on this list – but safety comes at a price.
But if safety isn’t your only concern when thinking about moving abroad, don’t worry – there are other aspects of life in Japan that will make up for it.
Japan has become one of the best places to live in this year thanks to its safe streets, great work opportunities and the amazing healthcare system – as well as the amazing people, great culture and ton of options for spending your free time.
Crime rates are low and only a few major accidents have been recorded recently, making it one of the safest countries for travelers and expats.
There are also plenty of healthcare facilities in Japan that will improve your quality of life and offer you exceptional service. If you’re thinking about moving abroad but want to stay safe at the same time, think no more. Japan is there for you.
Again, it’s not one of the cheapest countries in the world, but at least you know that you’re paying premium money for your family’s and your own well-being. Just have in mind that English is not widely spoken here.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand is a great place to move and travel because it’s traditionally safe, being in the top for years now.
It has plenty of things to offer in terms of culture and entertainment, which makes it perfect for those who want to enjoy their time abroad while staying safe at the same time.
The crime rates in New Zealand are very low, which makes it a great place for both expats and travelers.
And even though the cost of living is higher than in some other countries on this list, you will find plenty of employment opportunities there, especially if you’re an English speaker.
If you like beautiful landscapes and nature experiences (think mountains and amazing Lord of the Rings-like panoramas), New Zealand should be your next destination. It’s perfect for those who want to travel and stay safe at the same time.
New Zealand offers great accommodation opportunities along with a wide range of entertainment facilities available around most major cities.
5. Norway
I am also considering Norway as one of the safest countries in the world this year. It has a good healthcare system, plenty of employment opportunities and even though it’s quite expensive to live there (like all Scandinavian countries), you will find that your money goes much further than in some other parts of the world, especially the US.
Crime rates are very low in Norway, and you will never find it unsafe to walk out on the streets alone, no matter if you are male or female.
And if you’re thinking about moving abroad to live a healthier life while enjoying nice cultural aspects at the same time, Norwegians have an amazing approach to healthcare.
Norway is also known as being environmentally friendly so there’s no need to worry about your carbon footprint. It’s one of the best places in the world if you’re looking for a safe and healthy place to move or travel.
6. Denmark
Denmark is another Scandinavian country that can be an excellent choice for expats and travelers looking for a safe destination this year.
It has a very low crime rate, great healthcare system, modern educational facilities and even though the cost of living in Denmark is high, it is worth it.
Plus, it’s not that difficult to make a nice amount of money each month and afford at least a decent living there thanks to the plethora of work opportunities you have there.
And if you’re looking for a place to raise children, Denmark is one of the best countries in the world – it has a high standard of living and excellent educational opportunities.
Denmark is also one of the top countries in Europe in terms of internet speed and in today’s world, that is also an extremely important element to consider. (But in reality, all the countries that I have listed here do really well in this area).
I initially wanted to simply write “Scandinavia” as a recommendation, because all countries in this region are extremely safe and always ranking on top of “safe to be in” lists, but Scandinavia is a region and not a country so… I had to list them all one by one.
But in all honesty, if you were to choose any of the Scandinavian countries, you would do really well. Just make sure that you do enjoy the colder weather because you won’t get too many sunny days over there.
7. Canada
Canada is a North American country located right above the United States of America. It’s very safe and stable, with only around one percent of its population ever being victims of violent crimes each year.
It has excellent healthcare facilities and this nation also ranks high on “safest countries” lists because it doesn’t have any real threats when it comes to natural disasters. Sure, there are blizzards and its cold… but nothing’s perfect.
It is also very easy for expats and travelers alike to find work in Canada, even if you don’t have any specific skills or training. What’s more, most of the labor force speaks English so it will be easier than ever to fit into this country.
And last but not least, Canada has an amazing landscape that is really worth exploring – you’ll never get bored living in this North American country.
8. Switzerland
Switzerland is another European country that can be safely recommended as a great choice this year. Crime rates are really low in Switzerland, even though the cost of living there may seem a little high at first sight…
It’s also by tradition THE country that remains neutral in case of wars, so if you’re worried about military conflicts this year, you have another reason to consider it.
What’s more, you have excellent healthcare facilities available so it will be easy for you to stay safe while enjoying all the beauty that Switzerland has to offer.
Switzerland is also a great place for expats and travelers because it offers plenty of work opportunities, no matter if you’re looking for part-time or full-time employment.
Just keep in mind that the Swiss are not too keen on hiring foreigners unless they really have to do so… But if someone does decide to hire you, the salary is usually really good.
Just like in any other European country though, if you’re looking for an English-speaking nation where it’s easy to find work opportunities and settle down – Switzerland might be a perfect choice.
All of its official languages are German, French or Italian but people do speak enough English so that will not be a problem.
And last but not least, Switzerland is home to some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world – so if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this country should definitely be on your list.
9. Austria
Austria is another European country that you should definitely consider if you’re looking for a safe nation to travel or live in.
It has very low crime rates and the cost of living there is not too high – actually, this is probably the cheapest country you can live in out of the 10 on this list.
Just like all the other countries listed here, Austria offers excellent healthcare facilities and has done a good job keeping things under control since the world changed forever in 2020.
The only downside to Austria is that the job market might be a bit more difficult to crack, meaning that you might have a tougher time finding a job, especially if you don’t speak the language. But if you do, expect to have a decent salary.
Don’t forget, the cost of living is also smaller so if you’re relying on a pension, you’ll get a bigger bang for your buck here.
Austria also has a ton to offer in terms of things to see (after all, it was part of one of the largest European empires in the past) and it’s really worth exploring from one end to another.
So if you do end up living in this country, make sure to take some time to travel around and see everything it has to offer.
I personally consider its capital, Vienna, as one of the best cities in Europe to set up a home base if you want to explore the region.
10. Sweden
I don’t think there’s much difference among the Scandinavian countries when it comes to safety… but out of them all, I would rank Sweden lowest as there were some signs of increased crime rates last year.
However, Sweden remains one of the most peaceful and safest countries in the world, with overall low crime rates and high quality of living, including a great healthcare system.
The cost of living is high in Sweden, but you will find that your money goes much further than in the US, Canada or other countries.
And if you’re looking for a great place to raise children, Sweden is definitely one of the best choices out there – it has one of the best education systems in the world.
Like Norway, Sweden is also very environmentally friendly and its people are very open-minded – everyone is welcome to this country. It’s a great place for expats and travelers, with plenty of modern facilities both in the cities and outside them.
Sweden offers excellent opportunities for employment, which makes it a perfect destination if you’re looking to move abroad but want to stay safe at the same time.
Conclusion
The 10 countries above are the safest you can visit or move to this year. They are usually more expensive than your regular travel destination, but at the same time we should all know that you can’t really put a price on your own health, safety and well being.
But remember, safety should never be the only factor you consider when making such an important decision – make sure to research each country in depth to make sure that you will also have fun.