Qualities the World’s Safest Countries Have in Common
There are some commonalities among the safest countries in the world. For instance, safe countries tend to display high levels of wealth, social welfare, and education. Additionally, safe countries typically have effective criminal justice systems and governments that maintain very healthy relationships with their citizens.
Here is the list:
Profiles of the World’s 10 Safest Countries
1. Iceland
According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country in the world for the 14th year in a row. Iceland is a Nordic nation with a relatively small population of 340,000. Iceland has a very low level of crime, which is typically attributed to its high standard of living, small population, strong social attitudes against crime, a high level of trust in its well-trained police force, and a lack of tension among social and economic classes. Iceland has no military, and the police do not carry firearms (only extendable batons and pepper spray). Iceland also has laws in place to guarantee equality, such as legal same-sex marriage and same-sex adoptions, religious freedom, and equal pay for men and women.
2. New Zealand
New Zealand is the second-safest country in the world. Like Iceland, New Zealand has a very low crime rate, and violent crime is especially rare. Theft is still worth guarding against, especially in tourist areas (which holds true in every country in the world), but overall risk is minimal. Unlike its neighbor Australia, which is known for its dangerous wildlife (box jellyfish, taipan snakes, stonefish, funnel web spiders, and more), New Zealand has no deadly animals. New Zealanders are generally open-minded and have laws in place to prevent the violation of anyone’s freedom of speech or expression. As in Iceland, police in New Zealand do not carry personal firearms.
3. Ireland
Ireland became notably more peaceful in 2021 and vaulted from 11th place to 3rd in the 2022 rankings as a result. Crime is quite low outside of a few city neighborhoods ( as in any country, one should be wary of pickpockets and scammers in tourist-dense areas), and there is little threat of cultural violence or terrorism. In fact, the Irish landscape may pose a greater safety risk than its people—the country’s breathtaking cliffs and winding country roads must be treated with respect, especially during a sudden rainstorm or in areas with no cell reception.
4. Denmark
Ranked fourth on the 2022 Global Peace Index, Denmark is another one of the safest and happiest countries in the world. Denmark is one of the few countries where people report feeling safe at any time of day or night, even children. Denmark has a high level of equality and a strong sense of common responsibility for social welfare — two qualities that contribute to its citizens’ feelings of safety and happiness.
Corruption is rare in Danish business or politics, as honesty and trust are top priorities. While Denmark has a high personal income tax, it funds social programs that ensure all people receive services and perks that help them live comfortable lives. For example, everyone in Denmark has access to tuition-free higher education and healthcare with no additional fees to them, and the elderly are provided at-home care helpers.
5. Austria
Austria ranked as the fifth-safest country in the world for 2022. While violent demonstrations in the wake of ongoing social unrest remain a concern, these are relatively easy to avoid, and otherwise, Austria is a very safe country to visit. Serious crimes are uncommon (with the usual caveat to watch for pickpockets and purse snatchers). Additionally, Austria has been spared any major acts of terrorism in recent years.
6. Portugal
Portugal comes in sixth in the most peaceful countries’ rankings for 2022. In 2014, Portugal was ranked 18th globally and has since made significant strides. Unlike Iceland and New Zealand, Portugal has armed police; however, an increased police presence has resulted in a decreased crime rate in the country. In recent years, Portugal has experienced an economic resurgence, decreasing its unemployment rate from over 17% to under 7%. Portugal consistently ranks among the best countries for retirement, due in no small part to its high level of safety.
7. Slovenia
One of the former constituents of Yugoslavia, Slovenia has a high safety ranking that can be attributed to its excellent scores in three categories: travel security, medical risks, and road safety. Like many Slavic states, Slovenia installed a democratic government in the mid-1990s and is now focused on improving quality of life in many areas, including safety and sustainability.
8. Czech Republic
Crime rates in the Czech Republic have steadily decreased over the years, with rates of violent crime in particular dropping significantly. The Czech Republic also has a low incidence of terrorism and natural disasters. Finally, the country boasts many clean and efficient hospitals and a state-run health insurance system that offers affordable rates and enables near-universal coverage.
9. Singapore
Singapore ranks ninth on the GPI for 2022. In a Gallup report from 2018, Singapore residents felt the highest sense of personal security and had more positive experiences with law enforcement than did residents of any other country. Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, possibly due to the severe penalties that are issued for even small crimes. The government and police strictly control guns and other firearms, and violent and confrontational crimes are rare in Singapore.
As a city-state, Singapore also ranks as the second-safest city in the world according to the Safe Cities Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). In 2019, Singapore ranked first for infrastructure security and personal security, second for digital security, and eighth for health security.
10. Japan
The tenth-safest country in the world for 2022 is Japan. Japan has been in the top ten countries in the Global Peace Index for 14 years, consistently receiving high marks for low crime rates, minimal internal conflict, and virtually nonexistent political unrest. Japan’s proximity to potentially hostile neighbors China and North Korea could become a threat to its safety at some point, but has not thus far.
Japan is known for citizens having limited access to firearms, as the Japanese do not view carrying a firearm as an individual’s right. According to the Safe Cities Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Tokyo was the safest city in the world in 2019, ranking first in cybersecurity, second for health security, and fourth for infrastructure security and personal security.
Source: IEP applies a rigorous research process to arrive at its GPI rankings. According to IEP, “The GPI covers 163 countries comprising 99.7 percent of the world’s population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources.
(Filed by JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
SLOVENIA knocked the Netherlands out of playoff contention with a 25-20, 32-30, 25-22 victory in the final day of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Tine Urnaut and Klemen Cebulj conspired anew for the Slovenians in the big win to end their Philippine leg campaign and head into the VNL finals from July 19 to 24 in Poland on a high note.
Urnaut unloaded 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces while Cebulj had four blocks and eight hits and an ace for 13 points as Slovenia finished in seventh place with an 8-4 won-lost record.
Slovenia went 2-2 in the final and crucial preliminary leg here, bowing to Poland and Italy before notching a much-needed victory over China.
Ranged against the Netherlands in a must-win duel to qualify to the finals, the world No. 8 Slovenia just would not be denied behind a game-changing second-set escape act that set the tone in the sweep.
Now, Slovenia sets its prize on the ultimate prize.
“It’s an important moment for us. It’s an important game so we’re happy to show what we expect from each other. We played as a team and we’d like to keep it moving forward,” said Cebulj, who sparked Slovenia’s comeback in the second set.
Slovenia controlled the opening salvo en route to a 25-20 win but the Netherlands, with its back against the wall, refused to go down without a fight.
Top spiker Nimir Abdel-Aziz broke out of his slump in anchoring the Dutch spikers’ answer in the second set as his fiery hit pushed them to set point at 24-23 for a potential 1-1 slate.
But Cebulj had other things in mind, drilling a hammer in the ensuing play to force a deuce and pave the way for an extended duel.
Slovenia still trailed at 29-30 in the marathon before a 3-0 run highlighted Alen Pajenk’s block on Abdel-Aziz sealed a 32-30 win that just snowballed to the team’s breakaway in the clinching third set.
Abdel-Aziz, after struggling in losses against Japan and Brazil, fired 22 points as the only bright spot for the Dutchmen, whose 1-3 campaign in the Philippine leg doomed its final hopes.
The Netherlands finished at 5-7 in ninth place, allowing reigning champion France (5-6) and Serbia (6-6) to instead slug it out for the last and eight final slot pending the last elimination games on Monday in California. (ai/mnm)
STREAKING Italy made short work of Slovenia, 25-13, 25-22, 25-17, to catch the leaders in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s tournament Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Riding big wins over Brazil and Canada, the Italians sustained their drive and rolled past the Slovenians with little to no resistance to stay unblemished in the VNL deciding preliminary leg here.
Italy, with Yuri Romano again leading the onslaught, bumped off the first-game winner Poland for third place in the tight standings just behind Japan and the United States.
The world No. 3 team improved to an 8-3 won-lost record with 23 set points to overtake Poland, which scored a 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21 win over powerhouse Brazil for an 8-2 card but with only 19 points.
Romano, the 6-foot-6 opposite spiker, drained 16 points on 11 attacks, three service aces, and two blocks as Italy finished off the world No. 8 Slovenia in only one hour and 20 minutes.
“It’s a very good game and a very good performance for us. We won three matches so far and we want to win another one,” said Romano as Italy braces for a gigantic collision with unbeaten Japan on Saturday. “It will be the most difficult match for us, especially against Japan, who have won all their matches so far.”
Alessandro Michieletto and Daniele Lavia produced 13 points apiece to provide coverage for Romano as team captain Simone Giannelli had 18 sets for Italy, which slammed the door down on the usually potent Slovenian offense.
Italy silenced Slovenia with a 14-6 blocking advantage while converting six aces, three of which came from Romano alone, to score two blowout sets save for a closer second frame, 25-22.
Klemen Cebulj carded 16 points while Tine Urnaut put up 13 for Slovenia and even stood its ground against world No. 1 Poland before claiming the scalp of China in the previous days.
The huge loss pulled Slovenia to 7-4 for a tie at sixth to seventh place with first-game loser Brazil entering the homestretch of the VNL Philippine leg that will determine the Top 8 teams advancing to the finals on July 19 to 24 in Poland. (ai/mtvn)