2023 World Safety Ranking: Top 10 Safest Countries (Where Does Korea Rank?)
2023 World Safety Ranking / Safest Countries
Safety is one of the most important factors to consider when traveling. Especially when traveling among women or alone, you can’t help but prefer a country with good public safety over one without. It’s probably to prevent any misfortune that could befall you on a trip that should be nothing but fun and happy. The Global Peace Index (hereafter GPI), surveyed every year by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), measures its scores by considering not just the crime rate but also military budgets, war casualties, the size of the prison population, potential terrorism risk, and more — so it factors in threats coming from outside as well. So which countries had good public safety in 2023? The world safety ranking, written at the tail end of 2023, starts now.
The World’s 10 Safest Countries
World Safety Ranking No. 10, Switzerland
World security ranking 10, Swiss
According to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI), the 10th safest country was Switzerland. Having maintained its neutrality without taking part in any war since 1815, Switzerland scored high in national stability, democratic government, and a low crime rate. Recently, however, it began to distance itself from that neutrality by taking sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. I’m not sure which way things will go from here, but for now, as of 2023, it has settled into the rankings. On top of that, Switzerland is also one of the countries with the most powerful passports. Swiss citizens are granted the right to live, work, study, and retire anywhere in the EU. At times like this, I really envy the European Union, haha.
World Safety Ranking No. 9, Japan
World security ranking 9, Japan
The 9th safest country in the world went to Korea’s neighbor, Japan. Its 2022 record of just 10th place grew one notch higher in 2023. Japan was rated highly in other categories too, but it scored nearly top marks especially for its low crime rate. Even if you drop your wallet on the street, the odds of getting it back are said to be very high. Japan’s homicide rate is also about 0.3 per 100,000 people, which is less than half that of the advanced United States. As a result, by the GPI’s standard, it’s rated a safe country to live in.
World Safety Ranking No. 8, Slovenia
World security ranking 8, Slovenian
Slovenia, a country with a population of just over 2 million, ranked 8th on the Global Peace Index. Slovenia is a country with a short coastline located between Italy and Croatia. There are several reasons for Slovenia’s high safety ranking, but the most notable is its low crime rate. As of 2020, there were only 1.4 homicides per 100,000 people. Minor crimes like theft and vandalism are also relatively low. This may be partly because the small population keeps the rates low, but political stability is also said to play a significant role in that low crime record.
World Safety Ranking No. 7, Portugal
World security ranking 7, Portugal
Portugal is a country loved for its beautiful scenery, mild Mediterranean climate, and relaxed atmosphere. Recently, though, Portugal has been drawing the world’s attention for another reason — safety. According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Portugal was named the 7th safest country in the world. The reason Portugal can be this safe is its income level. In fact, Portugal’s richest 20% of households earned, on average, 7.5 times more than the poorest 20%. You can see this is relatively low compared to the U.S., where the richest 20% earn nearly 12 times more than the poorest 20%. When income is more evenly distributed, it’s said to help prevent crime and violence.
Portugal also protects all its citizens safely from crime under a strong rule of law, and government corruption is said to be relatively rare. Because the country as a whole is economically stable like this, the GPI explains, the crime rate can’t help but be low.
World Safety Ranking No. 6, Singapore
World security ranking 6, Singapore
Singapore, which newly updated its 2023 ranking, came in 6th among the safest countries. With a land area smaller than New York City, Singapore is also the safest country in Asia. Singapore’s rule of law is known to be so powerful that it makes even people from faraway countries like Korea shudder. It serves as an excellent factor in preventing low-level and potential crime, repeat offenses, and the like. Singapore’s police system is also highly efficient, and its public authority is said to be formidable. As a result, Singapore can’t help but reinvent itself as a clean, safe, and upright nation.
World Safety Ranking No. 5, Austria
World security ranking 5, Austria
Austria is the 5th safest country in the world and, at the same time, the third safest in Europe. There are largely three reasons Austria can be this safe. First, its crime rate is low. Not only homicide but also violent crime and property crime are rated relatively low compared to other countries. Second is its formidable economic power. Citizens with stable incomes are less likely to turn to crime, so public safety can’t help but be good. Lastly, Austria has a strong government and political system. Smooth, upright national administration guarantees citizens a sense of security, which is why the crime rate is said to be low.
World Safety Ranking No. 4, New Zealand
World security ranking 4, New Zealand
If some countries newly climbed the rankings, surely some dropped too, right? That would be New Zealand. Ranked 2nd among the safest countries in 2022, New Zealand fell to 4th in 2023. Even so, New Zealand — still in the spotlight as one of the world’s safest countries — has a low crime rate thanks to its small population, and its stable government gives citizens peace. Due to its geographically isolated location, it’s also said to be safe from external threats like war. The problem is that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are said to be frequent. A country safe from crime but not safe from natural disasters……
World Safety Ranking No. 3, Ireland
World security ranking 3, Ireland
Ireland, which has held its ranking since 2022, took 3rd place among the safest countries. For one, Ireland has a very low homicide rate, one of the most serious violent crimes. At under 1 per 100,000 people, it’s a strikingly low figure compared to the United States. Not only that, it’s also famous for almost never experiencing violence, riots, conflict, or terrorism. Perhaps because of its history as a country once torn by conflict, Ireland doesn’t get involved in any disputes and thoroughly carries out a policy of military neutrality.
World Safety Ranking No. 2, Denmark
World security ranking 2, Denmark
According to the Global Peace Index, the 2nd safest country is Denmark. As one of the safest countries in the world, its crime rate is on the low side. As of 2018, 127 homicides were recorded in Denmark, far below the world average of 6.2 per 100,000 people. Denmark also has a strong welfare system to reduce inequality and social unrest. This kind of economic stability and equality makes it easier to maintain the rule of law and is said to be a great help in reducing the crime rate.
World Safety Ranking No. 1, Iceland
World security ranking 1, Iceland
The grand No. 1 is Iceland. A little surprised? So am I. Iceland scored relatively high on a score measured by considering various factors such as the number of homicides, the level of violent crime, and weapon ownership. The reason Iceland can be this safe is its strong economy, formidable welfare, political stability, and a relatively low rate of corruption. And since it’s located in a comparatively isolated spot, threats coming from outside can’t help but be few. Being safe while also possessing beautiful natural scenery, its citizens can’t help but feel psychologically settled — and that state of mind is said to help lower the crime rate.
At this point, you can’t help but wonder about Korea’s world safety ranking. According to the Global Peace Index, Korea’s safety came in at only 43rd. That’s lower even than fellow Asian countries Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Another neighbor, China, was 80th, and the United States — a superpower and the world’s leading advanced nation — came in at just 131st. Until a few years ago, it seemed Finland never left the rankings of safe countries, so I found it odd and did some extra research.
It turned out Finland really was No. 1 in data that considered only the crime rate — that is, truly just “public safety.” However, once the “Global Peace Index,” which considers most factors — the homicide rate, deaths due to violence, social safety, internal conflict, international relations, political stability, and so on — redefined the figures for safe countries, data considering only “public safety” became meaningless. For that reason, I, too, referred to the data published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).