Preparing to travel abroad can be daunting when looking up countries and seeing the warnings against travel to that location due to crime. Then you get to the location and it's absolutely nothing like you perceived and feels even safer than the city you live in. This is how I felt traveling solo as a female to Mexico City and with my husband to Colombia.
It's important to do good research about the area you'll be visiting but also to be open-minded and attempt to uncover the bias you may have for your own country versus others. It helps me to remember that people who are like myself or my friends live their daily lives in these places and that crime can happen nearly anywhere.
These 30 countries have a lower crime index than the United States:
30. Morocco
29. Zambia
28. Egypt
27. Lebanon
26. Iraq
25. Sudan
24. Australia
23. Tunisia
22. Turkey
21. Hungary
20. Uzbekistan
19. Kuwait
18. Israel
17. Azerbaijan
16. Portugal
15. Cuba
14. China
13. Rwanda
12. Finland
11. Denmark
10. Austria:
Austria's status as one of the safest countries is due to its well-organized law enforcement, low crime rates, and comprehensive social safety nets, creating a secure environment that extends to residents and visitors alike.
9. Czech Republic:
The Czech Republic's low crime rate is likely from its stable political environment, effective law enforcement, and a strong emphasis on education and social welfare, creating a safe and secure atmosphere for its citizens and tourists.
8. Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia's reputation for safety is due to its stringent legal system, robust security measures, and cultural values that prioritize respect and social cohesion, fostering an environment of security for both residents and visitors.
7. Iceland:
Iceland's status as one of the lowest crime countries is a result of its tight-knit community, sparse population, transparent governance, and strong social welfare system, which collectively contribute to a safe and secure environment for its population and visitors.
6. Estonia:
The safety of Estonia is related to its well-functioning governance, efficient law enforcement, and a strong focus on digital innovation, creating a secure environment for residents and visitors.
5. Armenia:
Armenia's low crime rates can be attributed to its strong social cohesion, tight-knit communities, and cultural emphasis on family values and mutual support, contributing to a safe and peaceful environment.
4. Oman:
Oman's low crime index can be attributed to its stable governance, strict legal framework, and cultural emphasis on mutual respect and traditional values, fostering a secure and harmonious society. See more on Omanis being some of the kindest people in the world.
3. Taiwan:
Taiwan's reputation as one of the safest countries is attributed to its well-organized public safety systems, low crime rates, and strong sense of community trust, creating an environment where residents and visitors can enjoy a high level of security. Find out why Taiwan has some of the kindest people also.
2. United Arab Emirates:
The UAE is considered one of the safest countries due to its robust security measures, strict laws, and effective law enforcement that collectively contribute to a low crime rate and a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.
1. Qatar:
The 2022 home of the World Cup and the fourth richest country in the world, Qatar is rated with the highest safety. It has Middle Eastern cultural norms for dressing modestly covering your shoulders and knees which should be done out of respect for the locals. According to worldnomads.com, this country is a safe destination for solo female travelers.
Do any of these destinations surprise you? Were you expecting countries from these geographical regions to show on this list?
Important note: There are many more countries than listed here that are ranked with a lower crime index than the United States. According to numbeo.com, the United States has a moderate to high level of crime, whereas many of the ones listed are in moderate to very low levels of crime. The crime index is calculated by the total reported crimes by the total population.
Related:
Cities to visit that have the highest quality of life
Places with the kindest people
Sources:
