January 9, 2025, 6:54 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Political unrest, the threat of terrorist attacks, war, natural disasters, and a high crime rate pose a high security risk not only for local people, but also for travelers. In addition, dangerous infectious diseases and poor medical care can have fatal consequences, especially in combination. The interactive world map “Risk Map” shows in which parts of the world you need to be particularly careful in 2025.

How the Data Is Determined

The interactive “Risk Map” compiles data from analyses conducted in 2024 along with predictions for the upcoming year. This makes it possible to find out the current situation in the world with regard to four different criteria. In addition to general safety, medical risk, mental health, and the effects of climate change are also taken into account. The respective results are divided into five risk levels: insignificant (green), low (yellow), medium (orange), high (light red), and extreme (dark red). While the assessments primarily cater to business professionals and corporations, the world map is also a valuable resource for travelers.

The Security Risk Has Changed in These Countries

In Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and Myanmar, the risk ratings were reviewed several times. As a result of violent conflicts on the ground, the probability of risk was increased to “high” or even “extremely high”. The risk in New Caledonia also increased by one level from “low” to “medium” last year. The reason for this is the impact of social unrest and economic decline, which has led to an increase in crime. Rising crime and social unrest also led to negative changes in parts of South Africa, Mexico, and Kenya.

Changes have also taken place in the area of medical risk in some countries, resulting in a shift in security risk. For example, the risk in Bolivia was no longer classified as “medium” but as “high”. Libya, on the other hand, scored with a positive change and was rated better this year than in the previous year. While “International SOS” still rated the security risk in Libya as “extremely high” in 2024, the assessment for 2025 is now only “high”. This is due to the changes in medical risks. These are influenced by factors such as access to healthcare facilities, the availability of medicines, and disease prevention.

Which Countries Are Particularly Safe?

According to “International SOS”, various factors such as the threat of terrorism, war, unrest, attacks, kidnappings, and fraud play a role in classifying the security risk. The risk of natural disasters and the condition of the transport infrastructure can also be included in the assessment. At least if the level of risk is so high that tangible consequences must be assumed.

The “Risk Map” deems the safety risk to be negligible in countries such as Andorra, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, and Slovenia.

As per International SOS, these countries exhibit very low levels of crime and political, sectarian, and racial violence. In addition, security and rescue services are rated as very effective and the infrastructure is considered to be absolutely solid. With these aspects in mind, only ten countries managed to score equally well in all these criteria.

The 10 Safest Countries in Alphabetical Order

• Andorra
• Denmark
• Finland
• Greenland
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Slovenia
• Switzerland

Safe Countries in Europe

While not all of Europe is deemed “very safe”, the majority is still considered “safe”. The few exceptions are Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. Apart from Europe, travelers can also feel safe in several other parts of the world. Namely, everywhere where the second-lowest risk level applies.

Safe Countries in Africa

Several African countries are considered “safe”. These include Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Botswana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Senegal. They are all colored yellow on the “Risk Map 2025”.

Safe Countries in Oceania

In Oceania, Australia, French Polynesia, Fiji, Guam, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu make it into this category and are therefore considered “safe”.

Safe Countries in Asia

In Asia, the countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, Jordan, Laos, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Maldives, Oman, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam are considered “safe”.

Safe Countries in America

In North, Central, and South America, there are also numerous destinations with a low risk level. These include Canada, the US, and Argentina, as well as numerous islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. On the mainland, Chile with the Easter Islands, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay are also among the “safe” places.

Which Countries are Unsafe?

According to the “Risk Map”, the risk is rated as at least “high” in many other parts of the world, in addition to the aforementioned Ukraine. These include some countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. According to the “International SOS” team, the most dangerous countries worldwide continue to include Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, and the Central African Republic.

Extremely High Security Risk:

• Afghanistan
• Iraq
• Yemen
• Libya
• Ukraine
• Somalia
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Central African Republic

High Security Risk:

• Ethiopia
• Burkina Faso
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Congo
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Sudan
• Venezuela

However, there are a few countries missing from the list. For example, the Federal Foreign Office has issued a partial travel warning for Mozambique due to the domestic political situation. According to the Federal Foreign Office, Algeria is also still at high risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings—there is also a partial travel warning here.

Despite “International SOS” classifying the security risk in Israel and the Gaza Strip as only “medium”, this assessment seems incongruous in light of the ongoing conflict. The Federal Foreign Office also expressly warns against traveling to Israel and Palestine.

Where Is There a Medical Risk?

The interactive “Risk Map” can also be used to find out the safest and most dangerous countries in the world in terms of medical risk. This is “extremely high” in the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Eritrea
• Gaza
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Iraq
• Yemen
• Comoros
• Liberia
• Libya
• Niger
• North Korea
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Syria
• West Bank
• Central African Republic

According to “International SOS”, healthcare in these countries is severely overstretched or non-existent. Transmitted infections are also possible and, as with malaria and cholera, there may even be major outbreaks in some countries.

Where Is the Highest Climate-Related Risk?

Since last year, the “Risk Map” has also provided a country-specific risk classification in the “Climate change” category. This takes into account the risk of humanitarian crises and disasters triggered by climate change. Accordingly, the risk is “extremely high” in the following countries

• Afghanistan
• Ethiopia
• Congo
• Iraq
• Yemen
• Mali
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Chad
• Central African Republic.

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Where Is the Greatest Threat to Mental Health?

The risks that endanger mental health are also taken into account on the “Risk Map”. The map shows the proportion of the population that suffers from a mental illness. According to “International SOS”, these include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This is based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the data, people in the following countries in particular struggle with mental illness:

• Australia
• French Guiana
• Gaza
• Greenland
• Iran
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Spain
• West Bank

People in Greenland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, French Guiana, Iran, the West Bank, and Gaza in particular are at an “extremely high” risk of suffering from mental health problems. In these countries, 17.5 to 20 percent of the population are affected by mental health problems. In Germany, the risk of mental illness is not “extremely high” but still “high”. The “Risk Map” indicates that approximately 15 to 17.5 percent of the population in Germany grapple with mental health issues.