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2022 GPI

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Safest Countries in Europe 2023

Whether one measures safety by the annual Global Peace Index, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, or my other metrics such as rates of violent crime, Europe is the safest continent in the world. In fact, 14 of the top 20 safest countries in the world in 2022 were located in Europe. Nevertheless, the level of safety varies from one European country to another—and some European countries are much safer than others.

Top 10 Safest Countries in Europe (2022 GPI)

  1. Iceland — 1.107
  2. Ireland — 1.288
  3. Denmark — 1.296
  4. Austria — 1.300
  5. Portugal — 1.301
  6. Slovenia — 1.316
  7. Czech Republic — 1.318
  8. Switzerland — 1.357
  9. Hungary — 1.411
  10. Finland — 1.439

1. Iceland

Opening the list of the safest countries in Europe is Iceland, which has ranked as the safest country worldwide for more than 10 consecutive years. This Nordic country has a very low crime rate thanks to its low population (about 340,000 people), high living standards, stellar social attitudes against crime, educated police units, and lack of hatred between people of different economic and social classes. Iceland has no army, and its police are unarmed.

2. Ireland

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the country known for its lush green hills has very few red flags. Ireland has very little risk of natural disasters, boasts safe and reliable mass transportation, and has low instances of petty crimes (such as pickpocketing and muggings) and even lower rates of violent crime. The few troubles that do arise are often alcohol-fueled, so exercise caution when out at night.

3. Denmark

Besides being one of the safest countries in Europe, Denmark is among the world's happiest countries. Denmark has extremely low crime rates, and people, including children, report feeling safe every time. The high safety level is attributed to equality and a shared sense of responsibility for social welfare. Also, the country is a welfare state, implying that all citizens get services and benefits that help improve their lives. Denmark has no risk of natural disasters like some European nations, and its capital, Copenhagen, is one of the world's safest cities.

4. Austria

Mozart's home country ranks as the third-safest in both Europe and the world as a whole. Austria has a very low crime rate, few violent protests, very little terrorist activity, and remarkably few natural threats such as hazardous weather, natural disasters, or dangerous wildlife.

5. Portugal

Portugal is second among the safest countries in Europe. Crime rates in Portugal are very low. Unlike Iceland, Portugal has a military force, and its police units are armed. The presence of security officers in the southwestern European nation is partly responsible for the high safety levels. The political stability also makes Portugal a safe country. It has harmonious relationships with other countries.

6. Slovenia

Yet another of the world's safest countries, this Central European country is known for its abundance of medieval castles, rugged natural beauty, and tendency to incorporate dragons into its cultural identity. It is not known for any type of crime or unrest, both of which are quite rare in the country.

7. Czech Republic

Nested in Central Europe, the Czech Republic is a very safe country. The nation has safe communities where people live in harmony. Crimes are seldom and are often minor. Accessing weapons in the Czech Republic is difficult, and the risk of terrorist attacks is meagre. There is high equality in the nation, and health care, as well as other essential services, are relatively cheaper.

8. Switzerland

Switzerland is a safe country in continental Europe, given its low crime rates. People feel safe walking and staying outside, even in isolated areas, at any time of the day or night. The chances of terrorist incidents are low in the nation. Although Switzerland is one of the largest exporters of firearms, getting weapons in the country is extremely difficult. Natural disasters are also infrequent in Switzerland.

9. Hungary

While visitors to tourist areas should be on the watch for pickpockets (which is true anywhere in the world), Hungary is still Europe's 9th-safest country in 2022 (and 13th-safest in the whole world) thanks to its minimal crime rate, few natural hazards, and welcoming people. Note, however, that cabbies may get a commission for delivering patrons to specicic pubs or restaurants, so their advice may be best avoided.

10. Finland

As long as one knows how to dress warmly and either stay inside or drive in snow during the winter, Finland is quite a safe place. Its capital, Helsinki, is often considered one of the world's safest cities, transportation is easy and reliable, and risk of even petty crime is quite low.

Here are the 10 least safe countries in Europe:

  1. Afghanistan: 3.554 🇦🇫
  2. Yemen: 3.394 🇾🇪
  3. Syria: 3.356 🇸🇾
  4. Russia: 3.275 🇷🇺
  5. South Sudan: 3.184 🇸🇸
  6. DR Congo: 3.166 🇨🇩
  7. Iraq: 3.157 🇮🇶
  8. Somalia: 3.125 🇸🇴
  9. Central African Republic: 3.021 🇨🇫
  10. Sudan: 3.007 🇸🇩
Note: Lower peace index scores are preferable. Therefore, year-on-year changes that have a negative value are improvements, whereas year-on-year changes with a positive value indicate a decrease in peacefulness and safety. A handful of lower-scoring countries, such the transcontinental Russia, could arguably be considered either Eastern Europe or Western Asia and are included here for the sake of comprehensiveness.

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European Rank
Country
2022 GPI
YOY Change
2022 GPI Rank
1Iceland1.107-0.041
New Zealand1.2692
2Ireland1.288-0.023
3Denmark1.29604
4Austria1.3-0.025
5Portugal1.301-06
6Slovenia1.3160.027
7Czech Republic1.318-0.018
Singapore1.3269
Japan1.33610
8Switzerland1.357-0.0311
Canada1.38912
9Hungary1.411-0.0513
10Finland1.4390.0314
11Croatia1.44-0.0115
12Germany1.462-0.0316
13Norway1.465-0.0217
Malaysia1.47118
Bhutan1.48119
14Slovakia1.499-0.0520
15Netherlands1.522-021
16Belgium1.526-0.0122
Qatar1.53323
17Bulgaria1.541-0.0224
18Poland1.5520.0425
19Sweden1.5640.0726
Australia1.56527
Mauritius1.5728
20Spain1.603-0.0429
Taiwan1.61830
21Romania1.640.0831
22Italy1.643-0.0232
23Estonia1.6620.1033
24United Kingdom1.667-0.0134
25Latvia1.6730.0435
26North Macedonia1.7040.0236
27Lithuania1.7240.0637
Costa Rica1.73238
Kuwait1.73939
Ghana1.75940
28Albania1.761-0.0141
Mongolia1.77542
South Korea1.77943
Vietnam1.78644
Gambia1.79245
Uruguay1.79546
Indonesia1.847
Botswana1.80148
29Montenegro1.8010.0149
Sierra Leone1.80350
Laos1.80951
30Serbia1.8320.0552
31Greece1.838-0.0853
Timor Leste1.83954
Chile1.8455
Zambia1.84156
Jordan1.84957
32Bosnia and Herzegovina1.85-0.0158
Equatorial Guinea1.86359
United Arab Emirates1.86560
Panama1.87661
Cambodia1.88263
33Moldova1.882-0.0362
Oman1.88964
34France1.895-0.0465
Malawi1.89566
35Cyprus1.903-0.0167
Namibia1.90868
Argentina1.91169
Senegal1.91670
Rwanda1.94572
Nepal1.94773
Morocco1.96974
Liberia1.97375
Gabon1.97376
Paraguay1.97677
Angola1.98278
Ecuador1.98879
Bolivia1.98980
Dominican Republic1.9982
Jamaica1.9981
Armenia1.99283
Madagascar1.99584
Tunisia1.99685
Tanzania2.00186
Uzbekistan2.00187
Trinidad and Tobago2.00588
China2.0189
Sri Lanka2.0290
Kyrgyzstan2.02891
Tajikistan2.03192
Eswatini2.03393
Papua New Guinea2.04694
37Georgia2.0650.0195
Bangladesh2.06796
Kazakhstan2.07197
Cuba2.08398
Bahrain2.08599
Lesotho2.089100
Peru2.091101
Togo2.094102
Thailand2.098103
Turkmenistan2.116104
Benin2.125105
Guatemala2.139106
Guyana2.14107
Ivory Coast2.144108
Algeria2.146109
Guinea Bissau2.156110
Republic of the Congo2.184111
Mauritania2.193112
Djibouti2.213113
El Salvador2.231114
Haiti2.254115
38Belarus2.259-0.03116
Honduras2.269117
South Africa2.283118
Saudi Arabia2.288119
Kenya2.303120
Uganda2.309121
Mozambique2.316122
Guinea2.332123
Nicaragua2.334124
Philippines2.339125
Egypt2.342126
Zimbabwe2.35127
39Azerbaijan2.4370.10128
United States2.44129
Brazil2.465130
Burundi2.47131
Eritrea2.494132
Palestine2.552133
Israel2.576134
India2.578135
Chad2.591136
Mexico2.612137
Lebanon2.615138
Myanmar2.631139
Niger2.655140
Iran2.687141
Cameroon2.709142
Nigeria2.725143
Colombia2.729144
40Turkey2.785-0.07145
Burkina Faso2.786146
Pakistan2.789147
Venezuela2.798148
Ethiopia2.806149
Mali2.911150
Libya2.93151
North Korea2.942152
41Ukraine2.9710.31153
Sudan3.007154
Central African Republic3.021155
Somalia3.125156
Iraq3.157157
DR Congo3.166158
South Sudan3.184159
42Russia3.2750.28160
Syria3.356161
Yemen3.394162
Afghanistan3.554163
showing: 162 rows

What is the safest country in Europe?

The safest country in Europe is the country of Iceland, which is also considered the safest country in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources