Global safety rankings shift year to year based on crime data, political stability, health infrastructure, and increasingly, climate and cyber risk. Here’s where the major 2026 indices — the Global Peace Index, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s annual safety survey, and HelloSafe’s global safety index — actually agree, and where a first-time safety-conscious traveler should look.
Iceland — the long-standing benchmark. Iceland has held the top spot on the Global Peace Index for close to two decades, and continues to rank at or near the top across nearly every major 2026 safety index. Its combination of a tiny population, cooperative policing, and near-zero violent crime make it a consistent reference point for what “very safe” looks like in practice.
The Netherlands — 2026’s biggest riser. The Netherlands jumped dramatically in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s 2026 rankings, climbing from 14th to 1st place year over year — a notable shift driven by strong marks across health measures, overall safety, and specifically strong ratings for the safety of female travelers, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and travelers of color.
Switzerland and New Zealand — consistent top-tier performers. Both countries appear near the top of essentially every major 2026 index, reflecting low crime, strong governance, and reliable infrastructure — the kind of broad, consistent performance across multiple independent rankings that suggests genuine underlying safety rather than a single index’s methodology quirk.
Austria — a notable 2026 entrant to the top tier. Austria climbed into the top three on Berkshire Hathaway’s 2026 rankings, also placing inside the top five on the Global Peace Index — making it a strong, somewhat less obvious option for travelers seeking a safe European destination beyond the more commonly cited Nordic countries.
Asia-Pacific standouts: Japan and Singapore. Both consistently rank inside the global top 10 on newer indices incorporating broader risk factors (including cybersecurity and climate risk alongside traditional crime and political stability metrics) — worth knowing if you’re specifically looking at destinations outside Europe.
Canada — a reliable, broadly safe choice. Canada continues to rank inside the top 15 on the Global Peace Index and remains a consistent presence near the top of BHTP’s list, offering a geographically closer safe option for many North American travelers.
An important caveat, straight from the safety researchers themselves: even top-ranked “safest” destinations aren’t risk-free — wildfires hit Australia shortly after it was ranked among the top five safest destinations, and Iceland has experienced volcanic activity despite its consistent safety ranking. Even in the safest destinations, it’s worth checking your government’s current travel advisories, buying travel insurance, and taking normal precautions.
A broader 2026 trend worth noting: rising geopolitical tensions in several regions have pushed a measurably larger share of travelers to prioritize stability and predictability when choosing destinations — meaning safety rankings are increasingly influencing actual travel decisions, not just serving as background reference information.
Safety rankings and travel advisories change; check your government’s current travel advisory for any destination shortly before booking and again before departure.
