The Covid-19 pandemic, growing conflicts between countries, digital
security have made the world a less safer space in the past two years,
according to 2021 Global Peace index
A study by William Russell finds that there are still many safe
places across the world, going by metrics such personal, health,
infrastructure and environmental safety, political stability, transport,
as well as digital security.
However, the study also notes that the perception of safety also
differs from person to person in a particular country. Some destinations
are much safer for men than for women, while some countries offer
protections for the LGBTQ community rights. European countries come top
of most safety leagues, and within that group, the Nordic countries tend
to fare best.
The levels of safety can also vary within a country. For example,
Sydney is the fourth safest city in the world according to The
Economist’s Safe Cities Index 2021, although Australia as a whole
doesn’t feature very high in other safety rankings.
What are the safest countries in the world for expats in 2022?
Austria: 95% of expats feel safe in Austria.
Canada: with its relatively low level of crime.
Denmark has a low crime rate and there’s almost no risk of natural disaster.
Iceland has a very low level of crime, and high levels of equality.
Finland: 99% of expats feel safe there—that compares with 84% globally.
Japan: Crimes targeting foreigners are uncommon, according to security organisation OSAC.
New Zealand currently has extremely strict rules on entry due to Covid-19.
Portugal ranks highly for safety–and expats are exceptionally content there.
Singapore: Crime is clamped down on hard here, and firearms are strictly controlled.
Switzerland boasts a low crime rate, a law-abiding population and high levels of equality.
Taiwan: crime against foreigners is rare here.
UAE: expats rate this country high for safety.