The 10 Safest Countries in the World in 2026
If you are thinking about moving, working or retiring abroad, safety is often the single most important factor — for you, your family and your peace of mind. But “safe” means more than a low crime rate: it also covers political stability, the risk of conflict, how well the police and courts work, and how secure daily life feels. This guide ranks the top 10 safest countries in the world for 2026, why each one earns its place, and — crucially for anyone planning a move — what it is actually like to live and work there.
Our ranking follows the Global Peace Index (GPI), produced each year by the Institute for Economics & Peace. The GPI scores 160+ countries on 23 indicators across three themes: societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarisation. A lower GPI score means a more peaceful, safer country. The same names dominate the top of the list year after year — and one country has held the #1 spot for well over a decade.
Safest countries in the world 2026: at a glance
| Rank | Country | Region | Why it’s safe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | Northern Europe | Tiny population, almost no violent crime |
| 2 | Ireland | Western Europe | Stable, neutral, low conflict risk |
| 3 | Austria | Central Europe | High quality of life, strong institutions |
| 4 | New Zealand | Oceania | Remote, stable, low crime |
| 5 | Singapore | Southeast Asia | Strict laws, very low street crime |
| 6 | Switzerland | Central Europe | Neutral, wealthy, excellent services |
| 7 | Portugal | Southern Europe | Peaceful, welcoming, low violent crime |
| 8 | Denmark | Northern Europe | High trust, strong social safety net |
| 9 | Slovenia | Central Europe | Calm, green, very low crime |
| 10 | Japan | East Asia | Famously low crime, orderly society |
1. Iceland — the safest country in the world
Iceland has ranked as the world’s safest country every year since 2008, and nothing suggests that will change in 2026. With a population of under 400,000, no standing army, and one of the lowest homicide rates on earth, it is about as peaceful as a country gets. Police officers famously do not carry firearms, and violent crime is so rare it makes national news.
Living & working there: Iceland has a high cost of living but excellent public services and stunning nature. As part of the EEA, EU/EEA citizens can live and work freely; non-EU workers usually need a job offer and a work/residence permit. It is a top pick for safety-first movers who do not mind long, dark winters.
2. Ireland — safe, English-speaking and stable
Ireland has climbed to become one of the very safest countries in the world, helped by its political stability, military neutrality and low risk of internal conflict. Violent crime is low, and for millions of movers it has a huge extra advantage: it is English-speaking, which makes settling in far easier.
Living & working there: Ireland is an EU member with a booming tech and pharma job market (Dublin hosts the European HQs of many global companies). EU citizens move freely; skilled non-EU workers can apply for a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit. Housing in Dublin is expensive and in short supply, so budget carefully.
3. Austria — high quality of life and strong institutions
Austria pairs a top-tier safety record with one of the highest qualities of life in the world — its capital, Vienna, is regularly named the world’s most liveable city. Strong public institutions, excellent healthcare and very low violent crime make it a reassuring place to build a life.
Living & working there: Austria is an EU member in the heart of Europe. EU/EEA citizens can live and work freely; skilled non-EU workers can use the points-based Red-White-Red Card route. German helps a lot for work and daily life, though English is widely understood in Vienna.
4. New Zealand — remote, stable and welcoming
New Zealand is the safest country in the Asia-Pacific region and a perennial top-five name on the Global Peace Index. Its remoteness, stable democracy, low corruption and relaxed lifestyle make it a dream destination for safety-conscious movers — and, like Ireland, it is English-speaking.
Living & working there: New Zealand actively recruits skilled migrants through its points-based Skilled Migrant and Accredited Employer Work Visa schemes. The trade-off is distance: it is a long way from Europe and North America, which can mean expensive flights and time away from family.
5. Singapore — the safest country in Asia
Singapore is the highest-ranked Asian country for safety and one of the few places where you can genuinely walk the streets at any hour without worry. Its combination of strict laws, efficient policing and low tolerance for crime produces some of the lowest street-crime rates in the world — though it is worth knowing that penalties for offences can be severe.
Living & working there: Singapore is a global finance and tech hub that attracts skilled professionals via its Employment Pass and Tech.Pass schemes. Salaries are high, English is an official language, and the city is spotless — but the cost of living, especially housing, is among the highest in the world.
6. Switzerland — neutral, wealthy and secure
Switzerland has been a byword for stability and neutrality for generations. Low crime, immense wealth, excellent healthcare and rock-solid institutions make it one of the most secure places in the world to live — and its cities, from Zurich to Geneva, consistently top global quality-of-life rankings.
Living & working there: Switzerland is not in the EU but has free-movement agreements with it, so EU/EEA citizens can work there relatively easily; non-EU workers face stricter quotas and usually need employer sponsorship. Salaries are the highest in Europe, but so is the cost of living.
7. Portugal — Europe’s peaceful, welcoming south
Portugal is one of the most peaceful countries in the world and, for many movers, the perfect blend of safety, sunshine and affordability. Violent crime is low, locals are famously welcoming, and the pace of life is relaxed — which is why it has become a hotspot for expats, retirees and remote workers.
Living & working there: Portugal is an EU member with some of the most accessible residency routes in Europe, including its well-known digital-nomad and passive-income visas. The cost of living is lower than in Northern Europe, though salaries are also lower and popular cities like Lisbon are getting pricier.
8. Denmark — high trust and a strong safety net
Denmark regularly ranks as both one of the safest and one of the happiest countries in the world. Danes enjoy very high levels of social trust, a generous welfare state and low crime, which together create a rare sense of everyday security. It is a place where children walk to school alone and lost wallets are often returned.
Living & working there: Denmark is an EU member with a strong job market for skilled workers, especially in green energy, life sciences and tech. Non-EU professionals can use routes like the Pay Limit and Positive List schemes. Taxes are high, but so are wages and the quality of public services.
9. Slovenia — Central Europe’s green, calm corner
Slovenia is one of Europe’s quiet success stories: a small, green, alpine country that is consistently among the safest in the world. Crime is very low, nature is everywhere, and its central location makes the rest of Europe easy to reach. It offers much of the safety and quality of life of its wealthier neighbours at a lower cost.
Living & working there: Slovenia is an EU member, so EU/EEA citizens move freely; non-EU workers generally need a single work-and-residence permit tied to a job. Living costs are lower than in Western Europe, making it an underrated option for safety-focused movers on a budget.
10. Japan — famous for order and low crime
Japan rounds out the top 10 and is arguably the safest large, densely populated country on earth. Even in Tokyo — one of the biggest cities in the world — street crime is extraordinarily rare, public transport runs like clockwork, and social norms strongly discourage disorder. It is common to see young children commuting to school alone.
Living & working there: Japan has been opening up to foreign workers to offset its ageing population, with routes like the Highly Skilled Professional and Specified Skilled Worker visas. The language barrier is real, but salaries are decent and the safety and public services are exceptional.
How is a country’s safety measured?
The rankings above follow the Global Peace Index (GPI), the most widely cited measure of national safety. It scores each country on three broad areas:
- Societal safety and security: crime rates, homicide, incarceration, policing, political terror and the level of perceived criminality.
- Ongoing domestic and international conflict: whether a country is involved in wars or internal unrest.
- Militarisation: military spending, weapons and armed-forces levels.
A lower GPI score means a safer, more peaceful country. Because the index looks beyond street crime to include political stability and conflict, small, wealthy, neutral countries — especially in Europe — tend to dominate the top of the list.
Safest countries for expats, women and solo travellers
Different movers weigh safety differently. A few practical pointers based on the countries above:
- For solo female travellers and women moving alone: Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand and Slovenia stand out for low harassment and high everyday security.
- For families: Denmark, Austria and Switzerland combine safety with outstanding schools, healthcare and childcare.
- For English-speaking expats: Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore make settling in easiest thanks to English being widely spoken.
- For budget-conscious movers: Portugal and Slovenia offer top-tier safety at a lower cost of living than Northern Europe.
Safe and easy to move to? The practical view
Being safe is one thing; actually being able to live and work there is another. If you hold an EU or EEA passport, seven of the top ten — Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia (all EU) plus Iceland and Switzerland (free-movement agreements) — are open to you with minimal red tape. For non-EU movers, the most work-visa-friendly options tend to be Ireland (Critical Skills Permit), New Zealand (points-based skilled routes), Portugal (digital-nomad and D-visa routes) and Singapore (Employment Pass). Always match the country to both your safety priorities and your realistic path to a visa — and check salary, cost of living and housing before you commit.
The verdict: which is the safest country to move to?
For pure safety, Iceland is unbeatable — but its size, cost and climate suit only some. For the best balance of safety, opportunity and ease of settling in, Ireland (English-speaking, strong job market), Portugal (affordable, welcoming, visa-friendly) and Austria or Denmark (top quality of life) are outstanding choices. Wherever you are headed, use safety as your starting filter — then weigh jobs, cost of living, visas and lifestyle to find the right fit for your move.
Rankings are based on the Global Peace Index (Institute for Economics & Peace). Safety conditions and visa rules change over time — always check the latest official government and embassy sources before making plans.
