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10 Safest Countries In The World In 2024

Published

12 months ago

July 8, 2024

In a world marked by diversity, political conflicts, income disparities, and environmental challenges, many individuals prioritize finding safe and stable places to live.

A country’s safety is influenced by a myriad of factors that collectively contribute to the well-being and security of its citizens and residents. Key elements include low crime rates, political stability, effective governance, quality healthcare, social stability, economic prosperity, education, health and well-being, infrastructure and disaster preparedness, and international relations.

In an era of heightened global safety concerns, identifying the world’s safest country has never been more crucial, as governments vary widely in their ability to ensure societal safety and social welfare amid a dynamic and growing population.

The Global Peace Index (GPI), developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), is a comprehensive measure that evaluates peace and stability worldwide, considering factors such as violence levels, political instability, and small arms availability, offering insights into global peace trends by ranking countries accordingly.

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is a composite index that measures the peacefulness of countries using 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators, each weighted on a scale from one to five, where a lower score indicates a higher level of peace in the country.

According to the GPI, the following are the top ten safest countries in the world.

Iceland

Iceland is widely regarded as the world’s safest country, with its long history in the Atlantic as a shining example of positive peace.

Residents and tourists alike experience a pervasive sense of security influenced by a stable political climate, making Iceland an ideal destination for those seeking both tranquility and adventure due to its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, robust social unity, and minimal crime rates.

Ireland

Ireland is recognized as one of the safest countries in Europe and the world, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and friendly environment.

With consistently low crime rates, it provides a secure setting for both residents and visitors. Ireland’s education system is highly esteemed worldwide, drawing students from around the globe to its universities.

Austria

Austria, in Central Europe, is known for being very safe and having a good quality of life. It’s ranked the fifth safest country in the world.

The country has beautiful Alpine landscapes, historic cities like Vienna and Salzburg, and a rich cultural heritage. Austria is consistently one of the safest countries because it has low crime rates and effective law enforcement.

New Zealand

New Zealand is recognized as one of the safest tourist destinations due to its excellent healthcare system and effective police force, which keep violent crime rates exceptionally low.

New Zealand benefits from a stable political climate that prioritizes democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, fostering a long-standing tradition of peaceful governance that enhances social cohesion and safety.

Singapore

Singapore stands out as a city renowned for its high standards of urban efficiency and safety, ranking among the cleanest and safest in Asia.

This island nation provides visitors with a hassle-free vacation experience through strict regulations, well-maintained infrastructure, and a vibrant culinary culture.

Switzerland

Switzerland, an iconic Central European nation renowned for its breathtaking Alpine vistas, precision craftsmanship, and financial strength, is also esteemed for its political neutrality.

The country upholds a reputation for peace and stability, supported by an efficient healthcare system, excellent education standards, and minimal crime rates, all contributing to its high quality of life.

Portugal

Portugal, with its Mediterranean climate and breathtaking coastline, is considered one of the best countries to live in Europe.

Its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant cultural heritage, and welcoming environment attract expatriates from around the world.

Denmark

Scandinavia is widely regarded as the most peaceful region in the world, with Denmark standing out as the safest country among its counterparts.

Denmark boasts a well-established democratic political system characterized by stability, respect for human rights, and transparency. It has also earned a reputation as one of the world’s safest and friendliest travel destinations, thanks to its clean beaches, beautiful streets in Copenhagen, well-run institutions, good quality of life, and stable government.

Slovenia

Slovenia, a peaceful country in Northern Europe, boasts remarkably low crime rates with an almost nonexistent homicide rate. Its robust legal system guarantees fair trials for all citizens.

Slovenia is ideal for travelers seeking both excitement and safety, with its diverse environment, low crime rates, efficient public transit, friendly locals, and abundant outdoor experiences across mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and coastline despite its small size.

Malaysia

Ranked as the third-most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, Malaysia holds the top global position in the Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict domain and ranks third in the Militarization domain.

Malaysia, with its multicultural society of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous communities, benefits from inclusive government policies. Low crime rates, supported by a robust economy, help reduce poverty and inequality. Since gaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has enjoyed stable governance, fostering a harmonious social and political environment.

Source: VANGUARD

Headline

92-year-old Convicted For 1967 Killing In UK’s Oldest Cases

Published

3 hours ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

A 92-year-old British man was convicted on Monday for a rape and murder committed nearly 60 years ago, in one of the UK’s longest-running cold cases.

Ryland Headley was found guilty by a UK court for raping and killing 75-year-old Louisa Dunne after breaking into her house in Bristol, southwest England in June 1967, when he was 34 years old.

It is “one of the oldest cold cases to ever be solved in the UK”, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which brings criminal prosecutions, said.

Local police reopened the case in 2023 and matched DNA from the victim’s skirt and other items from the original probe to Headley, who had also served a prison sentence for raping two elderly women in 1977.

He is due to be sentenced by a judge at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

During the initial investigation, police had found a left-hand palm print from Dunne’s home, where she was found dead from strangulation.

The palm print was compared to 19,000 men to no avail.

At the time, Headley was a railway worker who lived just outside the area in which men and boys were asked to give prints.

Reaching a dead-end, police sealed away forensic evidence for half a century. Both DNA testing and later Headley’s palm print resulted in matches.

When Headley was arrested at his home last November, he told detectives: “I don’t know what you are talking about. Very strange, very strange.”

“For 58 years, this appalling crime went unsolved and Ryland Headley, the man we now know is responsible, avoided justice,” said Charlotte Ream of the CPS.

Following the conviction, Dunne’s granddaughter Mary Dainton said her death had a “far-reaching impact throughout my family”.

“I was just 20-years-old when my grandmother died and I’m now almost the same age as she was when she was killed,” Dainton said outside court.

Police said they were now looking into other possible cold cases Headley could be linked to.

“Ryland Headley has now been convicted of three rapes of elderly women within their own addresses, and in the case of Louisa Dunne, her murder as well,” Dave Marchant of Avon and Somerset Police told the PA news agency.

“I think there’s every possibility that there are other offences out there – over the 60s, 70s, however long a time period – which Mr Headley could be culpable for.”

Headline

Hope Dashed As Norwegian Company Apologizes For ‘Mistakenly Telling’ Thousands They Won Big On Lottery

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

A Norwegian lottery company on Monday apologised to 47,000 crestfallen gamblers who were mistakenly told they had won huge sums in a lottery, the firm blaming a currency conversion error.

State-owned gambling group Norsk Tipping said they had published incorrect prize amounts after a Eurojackpot draw on Friday because of an error converting from euro cents to Norwegian kroner.

The winnings had been multiplied by 100 instead of being divided by 100, the company said.

Among the disappointed was Ole Fredrik Sveen, who was on holiday in Greece when he received a message from Norsk Tipping that he had won 1.2 million kroner ($119,000).

“I thought: ‘Wow, is it finally my turn? Could it be true?’ I go onto the Norsk Tipping website, and there it says in black and white: ‘Congratulations, you have won!’,” Sveen told public broadcaster NRK on Monday.

In reality, he had won 125 kroner ($12).

On Monday, Sveen and the 47,000 others received apologies by text message from Norsk Tipping for the snafu.

“The apology was a poor consolation. They should have sent it out after the mistake, not today,” he said.

The Lottery Authority said Monday it had launched a review to determine if gambling laws had been broken, and Culture Minister Lubna Jaffery called the error “totally unacceptable”.

The firm’s chief executive Tonje Sagstuen resigned on Saturday after the scandal, leaving acting chief executive Vegar Strand to apologise on Monday.

Strand said his company’s state ownership made the mistake particularly problematic, noting that the firm was “entirely dependent on the trust of the population”.

“We have deeply disappointed our customers and take full responsibility for rectifying the situation. Such errors are serious for a company that is supposed to manage the trust of Norwegians,” Strand said.

“The work to rebuild trust again has the highest priority going forward.”

AFP

Headline

Musk Renews Attack On Trump, Says ‘Big, Beautiful Bill Utterly Insane’

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has renewed his public criticism of United States President Donald Trump, taking aim at the administration’s controversial “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which recently cleared a critical hurdle in the Senate, TIMES reported.

In a post on X on Saturday, Musk denounced the 940-page legislative package as economically harmful, claiming it would severely damage emerging industries while supporting outdated sectors.

“The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country,” he wrote to his more than 220 million followers.

He further described the legislation as “utterly insane and destructive.”

The senate narrowly voted 51–49 to advance the bill on Saturday night, following extended negotiations among Republicans. Vice President J.D Vance was present to cast a tie-breaking vote, though it was ultimately not required.

Musk, who once served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump, left the administration after a high-profile fallout and has since emerged as one of the bill’s fiercest opponents.

He described the measure as “political suicide” for Republicans and warned that it would raise the national debt ceiling by $5 trillion — the largest such increase in US history. “America is in the fast lane to debt slavery,” he added.

Responding in an interview aired Sunday on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Trump attempted to defuse the tension. “I haven’t spoken to him much, but I think Elon is a wonderful guy,” he said. Trump also suggested Musk’s frustration stemmed from disagreements over recent changes to electric vehicle mandates.

Musk’s opposition to the bill is not new. Earlier in June, he urged Americans to contact their representatives, calling the legislation a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill.”

Despite the bill’s advancement in the Senate, it faces continued resistance. Senate Democrats have slowed proceedings by demanding the entire bill be read aloud in protest.

“If Senate Republicans won’t tell the American people what’s in this bill, then Democrats are going to force this chamber to read it from start to finish,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer