Imagine walking home after dark and feeling no anxiety. Picture raising a family in a place where crime rates are low, healthcare is accessible, jobs are abundant, and infrastructure works like clockwork.
In a world filled with uncertainty, the quest for safety has never been more urgent, or more elusive.
According to the United Nations, nearly one-third of the world’s population feels unsafe walking alone at night in their own neighbourhoods. But where in the world can people truly live with peace of mind?
That’s the question a new global study set out to answer.
A recent research project conducted by a financial insights firm crunched data across nine major indices, from healthcare and employment to safety and peace, to determine the safest countries to live in for 2025.
From a pool of 90 nations, only 20 made the final cut, each one needing to surpass a Safety Index of 70 to qualify as truly secure.
And at the top of the list?
1. United Arab Emirates: A Desert Oasis of Stability
Scoring a perfect 100/100 in the Safe to Live Index, the UAE combines economic muscle, near-universal employment (97.3%), and tight security to top the global rankings.
Whether you’re navigating Dubai’s skyscrapers or Abu Dhabi’s innovation hubs, the message is clear: in the UAE, safety isn’t just policy, it’s a way of life.
2. Singapore: Asia’s Safe Haven
Sleek, efficient, and famously clean, Singapore lands in second place with a Safe to Live score of 96.8. It boasts Asia’s lowest Global Peace Index rating, a 96.5% employment rate, and a healthcare system that ranks among the best globally. It’s the gold standard for urban safety in Asia.
3. Iceland: Peace in the North
Often romanticized for its glaciers and geysers, Iceland quietly claims third place thanks to its position as the most peaceful nation on earth. With low traffic, affordable housing, and a strong healthcare system, Iceland earns a Safe to Live score of 93.5, proving that safety often lies off the beaten path.
Safest Country to Live in 2025:
The Rest of the Top 10 Paint a Fascinating Picture:
- Taiwan (4th): Known for its tech innovation and cultural vibrancy, Taiwan’s Healthcare Index of 86.5 leads the top 10.
- Japan (5th): With the highest employment rate at 97.4%, Japan offers a blend of tradition and modernity, wrapped in efficiency.
- Slovenia (6th): The EU’s top entry, Slovenia punches above its weight with peace, affordability, and strong job numbers.
- Switzerland (7th): A country of financial clout and Alpine calm, it ranks first in Purchasing Power, even with high living costs.
- Czech Republic (8th): Quietly competent, it offers the lowest Cost of Living Index in the top 10 with robust safety.
- Denmark (9th): A beacon of happiness, Denmark pairs strong welfare systems with top-tier quality of life.
- Netherlands (10th): The Dutch round out the top 10, boasting the highest Quality of Life Index of all.
What Makes a Country Truly Safe?
According to the research team, safety isn’t just about low crime rates, it’s a complex cocktail of factors: healthcare access, purchasing power, economic opportunity, peace, infrastructure, and trust in institutions.
And the results make one thing clear: economic prosperity and safety go hand in hand. All top 10 countries also ranked high in employment and purchasing power, suggesting that people feel safer when they are healthy, employed, and supported by systems that work.
Africa and the Global South: What’s Missing?
Notably, no African country made the top 20 list, a stark reminder of the global disparities in safety and development.
The report calls for greater investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and youth employment to change that narrative over time.
The Big Picture: Safety Is a Luxury and a Goal
“Safety is now the single most important metric for families looking to relocate, for companies choosing new headquarters, and for individuals planning their futures,” said a spokesperson for the research firm. “But only 20 countries met our minimum threshold, showing how rare it is to live in a place where you can fully let your guard down.”
As we move deeper into a digital and globalized era, with rising cybercrime, AI risks, and geopolitical tensions, the definition of safety is evolving. But one thing remains constant: the desire to live a life free from fear.
And now, thanks to this research, we know where that dream is most alive in 2025.
