All you need to know about the safest place in the world

Iceland has been crowned the safest country in the world for the 14th year in a row, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024 by Vision of Humanity. This Nordic nation has consistently ranked high in terms of peace and safety, and it's not hard to see why.

Iceland boasts a very low crime rate, with violent crime being extremely rare. The country's strong social attitudes against crime, high level of trust in its well-trained police force, and lack of tension among social and economic classes all contribute to its safe and peaceful environment. Iceland has no military, and police officers don't even carry firearms.

But what makes Iceland stand out from the rest? For starters, its high standard of living and small population of just 393,349 people contribute to its safe and close-knit community. The country also has laws in place to guarantee equality, including same-sex marriage and adoption, religious freedom, and equal pay for men and women.

Iceland's impressive ranking is closely followed by that of Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Singapore. These countries consistently rank high in terms of peace, safety, and happiness, thanks to their strong social safety nets, high levels of education, and low crime rates.

However, the 2024 GPI report indicates a slight deterioration in global peacefulness, with the average level declining by 0.56%. This marks the 12th deterioration in peacefulness over the last 16 years, with 65 countries improving and 97 deteriorating in peacefulness.

The report also notes that the gap between the most and least peaceful countries is widening, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to promote peace worldwide.​

The 2024 Global Peace Index evaluates 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world's population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation.