Iceland consistently ranks as the country with the lowest crime rate and highest overall peacefulness, a title it has held for years according to the Global Peace Index, followed closely by nations like Ireland, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland, known for strong social cohesion, effective law enforcement, and stability. These countries generally feature very low violent crime, high societal trust, and robust social welfare systems that contribute to their safety.
The country with the lowest crime rate is Japan. Firearms are strictly regulated, and most citizens cannot buy, sell, possess, or carry a gun. As a result, the island nation has had a remarcable decline in firearm-related incidents since 2014 - impressive for a country with a population of over 124M.
Iceland consistently ranks as the world's safest country, leading the Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2025, followed closely by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland, with other top contenders including Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland, all known for low crime, political stability, and strong social systems.
Australia has been a perennial top ten inhabitant of the safest countries ratings since it launched seven years ago – and in 2026, we're holding strong in second place.
10 Safest Cities in the World in 2026, No. 6 Will Surprise You!!
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
Canberra is officially Australia's #1 safest city, with a crime index rating of 26 out of 100. That places it as the 49th safest city in the world. This ranking comes from Compare the Market Australia, which analysed 6 years of public data from Numbeo's crime index.
Australia's largest terrestrial predator is the Dingo, a native canine that acts as an apex predator, managing herbivore populations and benefiting ecosystem health, though the marine saltwater crocodile is the continent's largest overall reptile predator, while the extinct Thylacoleo carnifex (marsupial lion) was Australia's largest-ever mammalian predator.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world in 2021, a position it has held since 2008.
Meanwhile, Singapore topped the list, both globally and regionally, with a whopping 98% of respondents saying they feel safe walking alone at night in the island state. Other ASEAN countries in the list include Thailand in 4th (70%), the Philippines in 5th (64%), Laos in 6th (63%) and Cambodia in 7th (62%).
Denmark. Denmark is at the top of the list of the top ten countries for quality of life. This small Nordic country consistently ranks highly in international surveys on factors like happiness, income equality, safety, and access to education.
The safest country in the world for women is Denmark, followed by Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Austria, the Netherlands, and New Zealand (in that order), according to the WPSI 2023 report.
According to the latest 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
Brisbane has just been named as one of the friendliest cities in the world and we're the only Australian city to be listed in the top twenty. We've always known this about Brisbane but now the world is starting to discover it too.
The capital Vienna also regularly tops list as one of the most liveable places in the world, in part due to its low crime rates. But crime does happen in the country. Get daily updates from Austria straight to your inbox.
1. Which city in Australia has the highest crime rate? Rockhampton has the highest crime rate in Australia, with 132 per 1000 people. Some of the sources have also pointed to Alice Springs as the city with the highest crime rate.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Crime rate by country 2025: 10 countries with the highest crime...
New global safety findings highlight Australia's strong healthcare system, low crime levels, political stability, and high quality of life. From thriving cities to secure regional communities, the country continues to be recognised as one of the world's most reliable and secure places to live, work, and travel.
Ranked number one since 2008, Iceland remains the world's most peaceful nation, leading across all three domains: safety and security, ongoing conflict and militarisation.
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Switzerland - the global benchmark for banking safety
Switzerland has long been the symbol of financial security and stability. Political neutrality, a strong currency (CHF), and strict banking regulations make it one of the most attractive jurisdictions for wealth protection.