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The global landscape is ever-changing, and so is the Global Peace Index. As reported by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which releases this annual study, global peacefulness saw a slight decline of 0.07 percent from 2020 to 2021. For those considering moving overseas or traveling internationally, these countries are your best bet for experiencing safety and stability, as highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler.
The Institute for Economics and Peace evaluates countries based on factors such as militarization, internal and external conflicts, and crime rates to determine their peacefulness. According to their findings, Iceland was the safest nation on Earth last year. This Nordic country has consistently topped the list since 2008, owing to its minimal incarceration rates, absence of international disputes, and limited military expenditure.
New Zealand secures the second position on the list. Similar to Iceland, its geographical isolation—having no shared borders with other nations—contributes to its peaceful reputation globally. Several European countries also feature prominently, with Denmark taking third place, Portugal in fourth, and Slovenia rounding out the top five.
If you're curious about the United States' standing in the Global Peace Index, it doesn't appear in the top rankings. The U.S. ranked 122nd out of the 163 countries evaluated in the study. Even its major cities fall short in terms of safety compared to those in other nations. After exploring the safest countries of 2021, take a look at the list of the safest international cities here.
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Czech Republic
- Canada
- Singapore
- Japan
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Australia
- Croatia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Bhutan
- Malaysia
- Poland
- Romania
