World's safest countries in 2025: US, UK miss the mark

The latest Numbeo Safety Index 2025 has placed the United States and the United Kingdom significantly lower on the global safety rankings, sparking concern among policymakers, travelers, and international observers. While nations such as Andorra, UAE, and Qatar have topped the charts with high safety scores, the US ranked 89th and the UK 87th, underlining growing unease about crime and public security in two of the world's most developed economies.

The Numbeo Safety Index is a real-time, user-generated assessment of how safe people feel in their own countries. It measures various indicators such as fear of crime, actual crime incidents, and general security perceptions. In 2025, the index evaluated 146 countries. The latest rankings show a widening gap between nations known for tight security and others struggling with rising public safety concerns, including traditionally stable Western democracies.

Top five safest countries in 2025

The top-ranked countries this year share strong law enforcement systems, political stability, and low levels of violent crime. The top five are:

• Andorra – Score: 84.7
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Score: 84.5
• Qatar – Score: 84.2
• Taiwan – Score: 82.9
• Oman – Score: 81.7

These countries maintain a reputation for efficient governance, strict public order regulations, and investment in community safety infrastructure. Their high scores make them increasingly attractive for global investors, expatriates, and tourists.

Countries with the lowest safety scores

The bottom five countries in the 2025 index are grappling with complex safety issues, including political unrest, weak law enforcement, and high crime rates:

• Venezuela – Score: 19.3
• Papua New Guinea – Score: 19.7
• Haiti – Score: 21.1
• Afghanistan – Score: 24.9
• South Africa – Score: 25.3

These rankings reflect persistent concerns around violent crime, lack of public safety measures, and in some cases, breakdowns in civil governance. Citizens and visitors report elevated risks related to theft, personal assault, and armed violence.

US and UK see sharp slide in rankings

The inclusion of the United States and the United Kingdom in the lower half of the index marks a significant shift in global perceptions. The US, with a safety score of 50.8, stands at 89th place, while the UK, with 51.7, is slightly higher at 87th.

Though both nations possess advanced criminal justice systems and substantial policing budgets, several factors are cited for their declining scores:

• An increase in urban crime, especially in major cities
• Concerns over mass shootings in the US
• Rising incidents of theft and robbery
• Public distrust in policing and uneven law enforcement

The ranking indicates a growing disparity between institutional capability and perceived safety among residents and visitors.

In countries like the US and UK, the gap between institutional response and citizen perception has grown, contributing to a lower confidence score in everyday safety.

Why Global Safety rankings matter

Safety rankings influence more than just tourism. Their impact extends to:

• Travel decisions: Tourists increasingly rely on safety data before booking trips
• Foreign investment: Business leaders assess risk before expanding operations
• Government reforms: Policymakers use safety metrics to guide local and national strategies
  Expatriate movement: Families consider safety data when choosing where to live or work