scorecardThe 23 safest countries to live in the world
  1. Home
  2. Politics
  3. National Security
  4. The 23 safest countries to live in the world

The 23 safest countries to live in the world

23. Slovakia — Kicking off the list is Slovakia. The central European state ranks higher in safety than in any other sub-index.

The 23 safest countries to live in the world

22. Canada —Canada is one of six non-European states to feature in the top 23. It has dropped 13 places since coming ninth in the Legatum Institute's last security ranking.

22. Canada —Canada is one of six non-European states to feature in the top 23. It has dropped 13 places since coming ninth in the Legatum Institute

21. Poland — The eastern European state is ranked higher in security than any other sub-index.

21. Poland — The eastern European state is ranked higher in security than any other sub-index.

20. Australia —Australia's lowest ranking comes in the national security and personal safety sub-index, having fallen five places since last year. It remains of the safest countries in the world.

20. Australia —Australia

19. New Zealand — Like Australia, New Zealand ranks lower in national security and personal safety than in any other sub-index. It tops the Legatum Institute's overall list, though.

19. New Zealand — Like Australia, New Zealand ranks lower in national security and personal safety than in any other sub-index. It tops the Legatum Institute

18. Finland —Finland is the first Nordic state to appear in the 23 safest countries in the world. It is also ranked as the best-governed on Earth.

18. Finland —Finland is the first Nordic state to appear in the 23 safest countries in the world. It is also ranked as the best-governed on Earth.

17. Malta — The small island in the Mediterranean is not just one of the world's most picturesque countries, but safest too.

17. Malta — The small island in the Mediterranean is not just one of the world

16. Ireland — Ireland has dropped 12 places since last year's index but remains one of the best places in the world for national security and the personal safety of its people.

16. Ireland — Ireland has dropped 12 places since last year

15. Spain —Spain ranks higher in safety and security than in any other sub-index.

15. Spain —Spain ranks higher in safety and security than in any other sub-index.

14. Slovenia — Not only is Slovenia ranked as having the best natural environment of any nation on Earth, but as one of safest places to live, too.

14. Slovenia — Not only is Slovenia ranked as having the best natural environment of any nation on Earth, but as one of safest places to live, too.

13. United Kingdom — Theresa May's UK has improved its ranking by 10 places compared to the Legatum Institute's last index.

13. United Kingdom — Theresa May

12. Netherlands — Located in the northwest reaches of Europe, the Netherlands just misses out on the world's top 10 safest countries.

12. Netherlands — Located in the northwest reaches of Europe, the Netherlands just misses out on the world

11. Hong Kong — The United Nations doesn't recognise Hong Kong as an independent state but it is still one of the safest places in the world. It was ranked the safest place in the world last year, though.

11. Hong Kong — The United Nations doesn

10. Sweden —frequently listed as one of the happiest places on Earth, Sweden continues to be one of the safest, too. It has dropped 5 places since last year, though.

10. Sweden —frequently listed as one of the happiest places on Earth, Sweden continues to be one of the safest, too. It has dropped 5 places since last year, though.

9. Austria — The small central European nation has squeezed into the top 10 safest countries in the world, having come in at 15 in last year's Legatum Institute index.

9. Austria — The small central European nation has squeezed into the top 10 safest countries in the world, having come in at 15 in last year

8. Switzerland —Continuing its tradition of topping lists like the Prosperity Index, Switzerland is one of the safest places for people to live.

8. Switzerland —Continuing its tradition of topping lists like the Prosperity Index, Switzerland is one of the safest places for people to live.

7. Germany — Germany is one of the safest places on Earth, climbing 15 places since last year's index. This is despite a high terror threat in mainland western Europe.

7. Germany — Germany is one of the safest places on Earth, climbing 15 places since last year

6. Norway — Norway ranks highly in security and safety like it does in every sub-index. The Legatum Institute ranks the Scandinavian state in the top 10 for every category.

6. Norway — Norway ranks highly in security and safety like it does in every sub-index. The Legatum Institute ranks the Scandinavian state in the top 10 for every category.

5. Denmark — Denmark's position has improved by 2 places compared to the Legatum Institute's last index.

5. Denmark — Denmark

4. Iceland — The Nordic island nation is once again ranked highly for security and safety after coming in at number two in last year's index.

4. Iceland — The Nordic island nation is once again ranked highly for security and safety after coming in at number two in last year

3. Japan — Japan was ranked at 22 in the Legatum Institute's last security and safety index, meaning it has jumped a huge 19 places.

3. Japan — Japan was ranked at 22 in the Legatum Institute

2. Luxembourg — At number two, Luxembourg is ranked as the safest country to live in Europe. It was ranked number 10 in last year's rankings.

2. Luxembourg — At number two, Luxembourg is ranked as the safest country to live in Europe. It was ranked number 10 in last year

1. Singapore — The Asian city-state tops the 2016 ranking, having climbed 12 spots since last year. It is worth noting that it scored badly in the personal freedom sub-index, coming 97th.

1. Singapore — The Asian city-state tops the 2016 ranking, having climbed 12 spots since last year. It is worth noting that it scored badly in the personal freedom sub-index, coming 97th.

Advertisement