Iceland – Where Police Don’t Carry Guns
According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland has been the safest country in the world for the 15th consecutive year, with an extremely low level of crime attributed to its high standard of living and strong social attitudes against crime. The police force doesn’t carry firearms – only extendable batons and pepper spray.
Walking through Reykjavik at night feels safer than most American neighborhoods during the day. Iceland consistently records the lowest violent crime rate globally, with near-zero incidents of murder, assault, or armed robbery, and its high levels of community trust contribute to its peaceful reputation.
Singapore – The Ultra-Safe City-State
In a 2018 Gallup report, Singapore residents felt the highest sense of personal security and had more positive experiences with law enforcement than any other country, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world due to severe penalties for even small crimes. Singapore reports one of the lowest intentional homicide rates globally at just 0.2 per 100,000 people according to the UNODC.
As a city-state, Singapore ranks as the second-safest city in the world according to the Safe Cities Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit. The contrast with U.S. cities is dramatic when you consider that tourists routinely leave their belongings unattended in cafes without concern.
Japan – Where Crime Barely Exists
The U.S. homicide rate is nearly 14 times higher than Japan’s, and Japan maintains one of the lowest homicide rates globally with no other nation experiencing fewer homicides per population throughout the 2010s. Low crime rates in countries like Japan are attributed to effective law enforcement and restrictive gun laws, making it one of the world’s countries with the lowest crime rates.
Visitors often marvel at how children travel alone on trains in Japan while many U.S. cities struggle with basic safety concerns. The cultural emphasis on social harmony creates an environment where violent crime is almost unthinkable.
Denmark – The Happiest and Safest
Ranked second on the 2023 Global Peace Index, Denmark is one of the safest and happiest countries in the world where people report feeling safe at any time of day or night, even children. The Danish concept of Hygge means taking time to be with people you care about enjoying life’s simpler pleasures, and this essentially drives much of Danish society resulting in a warm, welcoming place for visitors.
Copenhagen’s crime statistics make even the safest American cities look dangerous by comparison. Tourists regularly bike through the city at all hours without the security concerns that plague major U.S. metropolitan areas.
New Zealand – Natural Beauty With Natural Safety
New Zealand is the fourth-safest country in the world with very low crime rates, and violent crime is especially rare. New Zealand ranks 3rd on the 2025 Global Peace Index with a violent crime rate of just 0.7 incidents per 100,000 people and high levels of public trust in institutions.
It’s even harder to get to than Australia, and the lack of casual visitors greatly reduces the rate of happenstance crimes. The country’s isolation actually contributes to its safety, creating a environment where tourists can explore wilderness areas without urban crime concerns.
Portugal – Europe’s Hidden Gem
Portugal comes in seventh among the most peaceful countries rankings for 2023, and unlike Iceland and New Zealand has armed police, but an increased police presence has resulted in a decreased crime rate. Portugal has much of the allure and safety of Spain but with significantly fewer tourists, and fewer tourists mean fewer tourist-directed crimes.
Portugal’s safety is largely attributed to its very low crime rate and political neutrality, making it a great tourist destination and one of the safest and cheapest places that attracts many tourists worldwide. American tourists often express amazement at how safe they feel walking Portuguese streets compared to their home cities.
Slovenia – The Overlooked Alpine Paradise
Slovenia has a high safety ranking that can be attributed to its excellent scores in three categories: travel security, medical risks, and road safety. Slovenia is another European nation with very low crime rates and high political stability, making it a popular tourist destination for nature and medieval architecture lovers.
This former Yugoslav republic transformed itself into one of Europe’s safest nations. Ljubljana, the capital, maintains crime rates that would be considered miraculous by American standards, allowing tourists to wander medieval streets without safety concerns.
Norway – Where Oslo Beats Most U.S. Capitals
Outside of Oslo, Norway is largely rural with the northern part having 225,000 reindeer and nowhere near that many people, and Oslo is perhaps Europe’s safest capital. The stark contrast becomes clear when comparing Oslo’s crime statistics to Washington D.C., which has a murder rate of 17.0 per 100,000 people.
Norwegian cities consistently report crime rates that make American tourists question their own urban safety standards. Even in winter darkness, Norwegian streets maintain a level of safety that surpasses most sunny American cities.
Switzerland – Where Precision Meets Security
Switzerland has some of the world’s lowest crime rates attributed to effective law enforcement. On the Global Passport Index, Switzerland ranks fourth because of its high investment category scores, making it a top destination for global investors.
Swiss cities maintain such low crime rates that tourists often forget to lock their cars. The country’s banking reputation for security extends to its streets, where violent crime is virtually nonexistent compared to American urban centers.
Ireland – The Emerald Isle’s Safety Success
Ireland became notably more peaceful in 2021 and has retained the third spot in 2023 on global rankings, with quite low crime outside of a few city neighborhoods and little threat of cultural violence or terrorism. Ireland, a popular tourist destination, has emerged as the second most peaceful country in the world.
Ireland has always been very safe and super-friendly to visitors and foreign residents, and due to its exceptional safety standards is highlighted as a favored destination for foreigners. Dublin’s crime statistics pale in comparison to cities like Detroit or Baltimore.
Finland – Nordic Safety Excellence
Finland is one of Europe’s safest countries ranking 9th in the region and 13th in the world, famous for its low crime rate and secure environment making it an attractive destination for tourists, and notably ranks 5th in societal safety and security globally.
Helsinki maintains crime rates that would be considered impossible in most American cities. Finnish tourists visiting the U.S. often express shock at the security measures needed in American urban environments that are completely unnecessary in their homeland.
Austria – Alpine Safety and Cultural Riches
Austria is orderly and well-run, gets lots of tourist traffic and knows how to handle it, with cities that traditionally rank highly for safety among travelers and countryside that is safer still. Vienna consistently appears on global safety rankings, far outperforming major American metropolitan areas.
Austrian cities combine cultural sophistication with remarkable safety. Tourists routinely walk through Vienna’s historic districts at night without the heightened awareness required in most American cities.
Germany – Efficiency in Safety
Germany is orderly and well-run with cities that traditionally rank highly for safety among travelers. The country has a lower homicide rate than New Zealand and has some of the safest cities in Europe according to GeoSure Global.
German cities maintain infrastructure and policing standards that create environments significantly safer than comparable American urban areas. Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin all report crime statistics that American city planners study as examples of urban safety success.
Sweden – Scandinavian Safety Standards
Swedish cities including Orebro, Vasteras, and Uppsala came in fourth, fifth, and seventh on GeoSure’s list of safest cities, in a country that female travelers consider to be one of the safest in the world. Scandinavian nations have consistently led rankings as the safest countries in Europe and worldwide.
Stockholm and other Swedish cities maintain crime rates so low that American tourists often struggle to understand how urban areas can function with such minimal security concerns. The contrast with American urban crime statistics is particularly stark.
Netherlands – Liberal Policies, Conservative Crime Rates
Despite common misperceptions about drug policies, the Netherlands maintains safety standards where an English speaker is never far away, and even those speaking only a few words of English can have basic conversations. Amsterdam’s crime rates remain substantially lower than major American cities despite its reputation for liberal social policies.
Dutch cities prove that progressive social policies can coexist with exceptional public safety. Tourists find themselves in environments far safer than most American urban areas while enjoying greater personal freedoms.