While travel can be an enriching experience, some destinations pose greater safety risks than others. Understanding these risks is essential for planning safe and enjoyable trips. Here, we highlight the 50 least safe countries for travelers, supported by data from global safety indices and expert reports.
Criteria for Ranking
The countries listed below are ranked based on:
- Global Peace Index (GPI): Measures societal safety, militarization, and conflict.
- Crime Rates: Includes violent crime, theft, and kidnapping.
- Political Stability: Considers unrest, government effectiveness, and corruption.
- Health and Infrastructure: Factors like healthcare quality and transportation safety.
Top 50 Least Safe Countries for Travelers
1. Afghanistan
- Key Risks: Ongoing conflict, terrorism, kidnappings.
- GPI Score (2024): 3.56
- Advice: Travel is strongly discouraged due to high instability.
2. Syria
- Key Risks: Civil war, terrorism, lack of infrastructure.
- GPI Score: 3.53
- Advice: Avoid all travel due to extreme danger.
3. South Sudan
- Key Risks: Ethnic violence, armed conflict, poor infrastructure.
- GPI Score: 3.52
4. Yemen
- Key Risks: Civil war, famine, disease outbreaks.
- GPI Score: 3.51
5. Iraq
- Key Risks: Terrorism, kidnappings, and insurgencies.
- GPI Score: 3.49
6. Somalia
- Key Risks: Piracy, terrorism, lack of governance.
- GPI Score: 3.47
7. Central African Republic
- Key Risks: Armed groups, poor healthcare, crime.
- GPI Score: 3.46
8. Sudan
- Key Risks: Political unrest, violence, and economic instability.
- GPI Score: 3.45
9. Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Key Risks: Armed conflict, disease, high crime.
- GPI Score: 3.42
10. Libya
- Key Risks: Armed conflict, lawlessness, kidnappings.
- GPI Score: 3.41
11. Pakistan
- Key Risks: Terrorism, sectarian violence, and political instability.
12. North Korea
- Key Risks: Repressive government, lack of communication access.
13. Venezuela
- Key Risks: Economic collapse, violent crime, kidnappings.
14. Haiti
- Key Risks: High crime rates, political unrest, poor infrastructure.
15. Brazil
- Key Risks: Violent crime in urban areas, organized crime in favelas.
16. Mexico
- Key Risks: Organized crime and cartel violence, varying by region.
17. Nigeria
- Key Risks: Terrorism in the north, kidnappings, and ethnic violence.
18. Myanmar
- Key Risks: Ethnic conflict, political turmoil, and military violence.
19. El Salvador
- Key Risks: Gang violence and high murder rates.
20. Honduras
- Key Risks: Violent crime and weak governance.
21. Colombia
- Key Risks: Armed groups, kidnappings, and rural area dangers.
22. Philippines
- Key Risks: Insurgencies in the south and occasional terrorist activity.
23. Mali
- Key Risks: Terrorist activity, kidnappings, and weak infrastructure.
24. Burkina Faso
- Key Risks: Growing terrorist presence and political instability.
25. Chad
- Key Risks: Armed conflict, kidnappings, and terrorism.
26. Zimbabwe
- Key Risks: Economic instability and high crime rates.
27. Lebanon
- Key Risks: Political unrest, protests, and regional tensions.
28. Algeria
- Key Risks: Terrorism in rural areas and kidnappings.
29. Kenya
- Key Risks: Terrorism threats, especially near the Somali border.
30. Papua New Guinea
- Key Risks: High crime rates in cities and tribal conflicts.
31. South Africa
- Key Risks: High rates of violent crime, including carjackings.
32. Egypt
- Key Risks: Terrorist activity and risks in the Sinai Peninsula.
33. Ethiopia
- Key Risks: Ethnic conflicts and political unrest.
34. Iran
- Key Risks: Political tensions and protests.
35. Saudi Arabia
- Key Risks: Restrictions on personal freedoms and regional risks.
36. Thailand
- Key Risks: Insurgencies in the southern provinces.
37. Russia
- Key Risks: Political repression and risks in regions like Chechnya.
38. Turkey
- Key Risks: Political instability and terrorism in certain areas.
39. Uzbekistan
- Key Risks: Repressive laws and government monitoring.
40. Cuba
- Key Risks: Poor infrastructure and occasional political crackdowns.
41. Kazakhstan
- Key Risks: Corruption and protests in urban areas.
42. Laos
- Key Risks: Limited healthcare and road safety concerns.
43. Belarus
- Key Risks: Political unrest and restrictions on freedoms.
44. Nicaragua
- Key Risks: Political instability and crime.
45. Guatemala
- Key Risks: Gang violence and unsafe rural areas.
46. Bangladesh
- Key Risks: Poor infrastructure and natural disasters.
47. Zimbabwe
- Key Risks: Economic challenges and high crime rates.
48. Mozambique
- Key Risks: Armed insurgency in the north and weak infrastructure.
49. Tunisia
- Key Risks: Sporadic terrorist attacks targeting tourists.
50. Peru
- Key Risks: Theft and occasional political protests.
Conclusion
This list highlights the 50 least safe countries for travelers, with risks ranging from political instability and conflict to high crime and health hazards. Travelers should approach these destinations with caution, staying informed and prepared.