Analysis: The safest Countries for Travel in 2025

From wars and terrorism to civil unrest, the world faces turmoil on multiple fronts. In May 2024, the United States (U.S.) Department of State issued a global travel advisory due to heightened risks of terrorism, protests, and violence.

Despite these challenges, international travel is experiencing significant growth. According to a report from the United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organization, the number of international trips in 2024 has already increased by 11 percent.

However, navigating this complex and ever-changing world requires caution. For travelers, it’s more important than ever to know which countries are truly safe to visit. So, which are the safest countries to visit? Answers can be found in the seventh annual report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) on the world’s safest countries for 2025.

How the list is compiled

BHTP analyzed 42 popular countries using data from various sources on well-traveled destinations. They surveyed U.S. travelers about their experiences and combined those findings with data from sources such as the Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and GeoSure Global.

These insights allowed the company to rank countries based on criteria such as crime rates, terrorism risks, healthcare systems, and more.

“We combine this data with survey results to calculate a weighted score that reflects the overall safety of each country,” said Carol Mueller, Vice President of BHTP, in an interview. “The rankings in the report are based on these weighted scores.”

However, BHTP cautions that their list of the safest countries does not account for random acts of terrorism or natural disasters.

“It also doesn’t mean that any country is entirely safe at this moment or that all parts of a country are equally secure,” the report’s authors note. “Israel is a perfect example. Travelers consider it safe, but you might not want to visit right now.”

Iceland takes the top spot

So, which is the safest country for 2025? Iceland takes the first place, making a significant leap from ninth place last year. Despite recent natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions and ice cave collapses, Iceland boasts low crime rates and a peaceful, small population.

According to BHTP, the country’s primary road network contributes to its safety by reducing traffic issues.

“It’s hard to have traffic accidents if there’s no traffic,” the report’s authors write. And while volcanic eruptions remain a risk, BHTPnotes, “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more relaxed about it than the Icelanders themselves.”

Mueller explains that while Iceland ranked highly overall, it was not at the very top when evaluated solely on attributes such as safety from violent crime, transportation security, healthcare, safety for women and people of color, and freedom from terrorism.

“What really made it shine was when other factors were considered,” says Mueller. “For instance, GeoSure Global, a provider of traveler safety apps, found Icelandic cities to be extremely safe across all measured aspects. Numbeo rated it highly for its low crime rates, while the Global Peace Index praised its low levels of militarization and incarceration. The fact that Iceland has consistently maintained these characteristics over time was also a major factor.”

Safe, but…

On this year’s list of safest countries, Australia ranks second, thanks to its remote location and low crime rates. However, BHTPadvises travelers to watch out for the country’s wildlife – ranging from venomous jellyfish to dangerous crocodiles.

After topping last year’s list, Canada drops to third place in 2025. BHTP attributes its low crime rate to sparse population density and vast wilderness. Travelers should still be cautious of wildlife encounters, from bears in national parks to moose on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Ireland, ranked fourth, is considered a safe and welcoming destination, though BHTP advises travelers to prepare for left-side driving on narrow roads.

Switzerland rounds out the top five, known for its well-organized cities and efficient infrastructure. However, BHTP warns that the Alps pose increasing risks due to avalanches and landslides, which have become more frequent due to climate change.

Back in the top 10

Notably, New Zealand has re-entered the top 10, climbing to sixth place from 11th last year. BHTP notes that the country’s isolation and strict biosecurity measures help maintain low crime rates. Another country making a significant jump is Germany, which moves from 18th to seventh place. According to BHTP, its cities continue to rank highly for safety, while rural areas are even safer.

Among the biggest losers are the United Kingdom (UK), dropping from sixth in 2024 to 13th in 2025, and the Netherlands, droppingfrom fifth to 14th, partly due to concerns over urban drug policies.

The U.S. once again fails to appear in the top 15 safest countries. “Overall, the U.S. ranks better when only respondent ratings are used compared to when additional measures are included,” says Mueller. “Over the last four years, the U.S. has averaged a rank of 20.5 when all measures are considered, compared to 19.5 using only survey results.”

In addition to the main list, the BHTP report also highlights specific safety categories, showcasing the best-ranked countries for crime prevention, transportation, and healthcare systems. The company also produces special lists for women, LGBTQ+ travelers, and others.

This year, BHTP introduced a “Safe Travel Destinations Hall of Fame” to recognize countries that have consistently ranked among the top 10 safest destinations since 2018.

The 15 Safest Countries for Travel in 2025

The 15 safest countries for travel in 2025 are: Iceland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Japan, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Netherlands and Sweden, Forbes writes.

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