Safest Countries In Europe

Last updated May 23, 2025

Peace Index
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Peace Index 2022Question Mark
1.IcelandIceland1.107
2.IrelandIreland1.288
3.DenmarkDenmark1.296
4.AustriaAustria1.300
5.PortugalPortugal1.301
6.SloveniaSlovenia1.316
7.Czech RepublicCzech Republic1.318
8.SwitzerlandSwitzerland1.357
9.HungaryHungary1.411
10.FinlandFinland1.439
11.CroatiaCroatia1.440
12.GermanyGermany1.462
13.NorwayNorway1.465
14.SlovakiaSlovakia1.499
15.NetherlandsNetherlands1.522
16.BelgiumBelgium1.526
17.BulgariaBulgaria1.541
18.PolandPoland1.552
19.SwedenSweden1.564
20.SpainSpain1.603
21.RomaniaRomania1.640
22.ItalyItaly1.643
23.EstoniaEstonia1.662
24.United KingdomUnited Kingdom1.667
25.LatviaLatvia1.673
26.North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia1.704
27.LithuaniaLithuania1.724
28.AlbaniaAlbania1.761
29.MontenegroMontenegro1.801
30.SerbiaSerbia1.832
31.GreeceGreece1.838
32.Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina1.850
33.MoldovaMoldova1.882
34.FranceFrance1.895
35.CyprusCyprus1.903
36.GeorgiaGeorgia2.065
37.BelarusBelarus2.259
38.AzerbaijanAzerbaijan2.437
39.TurkeyTurkey2.785
40.UkraineUkraine2.971
41.RussiaRussia3.275

Europe's Safest Countries Explored

Safety remains an essential factor when evaluating the quality of life in any setting, let alone in the diverse region that is Europe. With its rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, Europe offers a unique study in how varied socio-economic contexts can affect levels of safety within countries. This article delves into the Global Peace Indexes of Europe's countries, providing a nuanced perspective on these diverse nations' safety status.

The Global Peace Index, developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace, considers multiple indicators within three broad categories: the level of safety and security in society, the degree of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the extent of militarization. This data-driven approach yields a comprehensive ranking of the world's safest countries.

Key Findings:

  • Topping the list of the safest countries in Europe is Iceland, whose score of 1.107 reflects a longstanding stability that outdistances all competitors.
  • Ireland, Denmark, Austria, and Portugal immediately follow Iceland as the top five safest countries in Europe.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, countries such as Ukraine and Russia had considerably lower scores of 2.971 and 3.275, respectively, indicating heightened instability and lower relative safety.
  • Generally, there seems to be a trend of higher safety within Western European and Nordic countries, as evidenced by countries like Ireland, Denmark, Austria, and Portugal ranking high on the list.
  • There is an evident regional divergence within the safety rankings, with Eastern European and Eurasian countries tending to inhabit the lower ends of the spectrum.

10 Safest Countries in Europe

The safest country in Europe is Iceland, boasting a score of 1.107. This is not surprising as Iceland, despite being a small island, has a history of peaceful coexistence among its citizens. Following closely at second place is Ireland, with a score of 1.288, attributable to its progressive societal policies and cordial international relations.

Other European countries with comparatively high Global Peace Index rankings include Denmark (1.296), Austria (1.300), and Portugal (1.301). These countries consistently shine as examples of peaceful communities with low crime rates and strong institutional safeguards.

Not too far behind, we have Slovenia (1.316) and Czech Republic (1.318) – both countries secure in their unique blending of cultural heritage and modern governance. Switzerland also features in the top ten, coming in eighth with a score of 1.357, reflecting its long-established reputation as a politically stable and secure nation.

Hungary (1.411) and Finland (1.439) round out the top ten, bringing to the forefront the diversity in geographical, cultural, and political contexts within Europe's safest nations.

Safest Countries in Europe:

  1. Iceland - 1.107
  2. Ireland - 1.288
  3. Denmark - 1.296
  4. Austria - 1.300
  5. Portugal - 1.301
  6. Slovenia - 1.316
  7. Czech Republic - 1.318
  8. Switzerland - 1.357
  9. Hungary - 1.411
  10. Finland - 1.439
Global Peace Index 2022
Last updated
June, 2022
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