A new report from Berkshire Hathaway has named Iceland the safest country to travel to in 2025. The photo is of Gosafoss waterfall.
getty
From war to terrorism to civil war, the world faces turmoil on many fronts. In May 2024, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide alert warning travelers about the increased risk of terrorism, protests, and violence. But despite these challenges, global travel is booming. International travel in 2024 is already up 11% compared to 2023 and could be on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization last month.
But navigating the complexities of this changing world requires care, and it’s more important than ever for travelers to stay informed about which countries are truly safe. So which countries are the safest to travel to? Find the answer in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s 7th Annual Report on the World’s Safest Countries for 2025 You can.
Berkshire Hathaway has been surveying American travelers since 2016, combining their experiences with data from sources such as the Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and GeoSure Global. These insights help the company rank countries based on crime, terrorism risk, healthcare system, and travel safety.
However, Berkshire Hathaway warns that its ratings do not take into account random acts of terrorism or natural disasters. “It also does not mean that any particular country is currently safe or that any region of the country is as safe as any other,” the report’s authors wrote. . “Israel is a perfect example. Tourists who visit this country say it’s safe, but they probably don’t want to visit right now.”
So which country will be the safest in 2025? Iceland tops the list, marking a notable jump from last year, when it came in 9th place. Despite recent natural disasters (volcanic eruptions, ice cave collapses), Iceland has a low crime rate, a small population and is peaceful. Berkshire Hathaway says the country’s single major road also means there are fewer traffic concerns, contributing to safety. “Logically speaking, if there is no traffic volume, road accidents are less likely to occur,” the report’s authors wrote. And while volcanic eruptions remain a concern, Berkshire Hathaway says, “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more giddy about this eruption than Icelanders.”
Australia ranks second on this year’s list of safest countries due to its remote location and low crime rate. But Berkshire Hathaway warns travelers to be aware of the country’s dangerous wildlife, from poisonous jellyfish to alligators.
The third safest country in the world in 2025 was Canada, which ranked first in 2024. The photo shows the Northern Lights above Spirit Island in Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta.
getty
Canada, which topped the list last year, has fallen to third place in 2025. Berkshire Hathaway says it’s a low-crime destination due to its low population density and vast expanses of nature, but travelers should be wary of encounters with bears and other wildlife in national parks. be. Moose on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Ireland, ranked fourth, remains a safe and welcoming destination, but Berkshire Hathaway says travelers should prepare for the challenge of driving on the left side of narrow roads.
Rounding out the top five was Switzerland, known for its orderly cities and infrastructure. But Berkshire Hathaway warns that the country’s high mountains are becoming more dangerous as avalanches and landslides become more frequent as the climate changes.
Major changes to this year’s list include New Zealand returning to the top 10 from 11th place last year, rising to 6th place. Berkshire Hathaway points to isolated locations and strict biosecurity measures as helping to curb crime. Germany also made a big jump from 18th to 7th place. According to Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire Hathaway’s cities continue to rank high for safety, and rural areas are even safer.
Other notable changes include the United Kingdom, which fell from 6th to 13th place, and the Netherlands, which fell from 5th to 14th place, largely due to concerns about drug policy in urban areas. And once again, the United States was not included in the list of the top 15 safest countries in the world.
In addition to the overall list, Berkshire Hathaway’s report also delves into specific categories of safety, highlighting top performers in areas such as crime prevention, transportation, and health systems. . The company also created a list for women, LGBTQ+ travelers, and more.
And this year, for the first time ever, Berkshire Hathaway created the Safe Travel Hall of Fame to recognize countries that have ranked in the top 10 on average since it began ranking safest places in 2018.
Read our list of the 15 safest countries in the world to travel to, along with some partial and hall of fame lists.
Australia has been named the second safest country to travel to. Here’s a photo: Sydney with the Harbor Bridge.
getty
Ranking: 15 safest countries to travel to in the world
Here is the complete list of safest countries in 2025:
Iceland Australia Canada Ireland Switzerland New Zealand Germany Norway Japan Denmark Portugal Spain United Kingdom Netherlands Sweden
The Northern Lights over the coastline of Hamnoy, Lofoten Islands, Norway.
getty
Ranking: safest countries from violent crime
Berkshire Hathaway’s list also reveals which countries are performing best in specific areas. Here’s a look at the statistically safest places in the world when it comes to violent crime.
Norway Canada Australia Ireland Iceland New Zealand United Arab Emirates Germany Italy Portugal
Sunset view of Dubai Marina in the United Arab Emirates.
getty
Ranking: safest countries from terrorism
According to a report by Berkshire Hathaway, the UAE is the safest country when it comes to terrorism.
United Arab Emirates Canada Ireland New Zealand Australia Norway Iceland Japan Switzerland Portugal
Canada has been named the safest country for transportation. The photo is from Edmonton.
getty
Ranking: safest countries for transport safety
Canada Australia New Zealand Ireland Denmark Germany Japan Iceland Italy Portugal
Canada has been named the safest country in terms of health measures. The photo shows the forest of Mount Seymour in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
getty
Ranking: Countries with the safest health measures
Canada Norway New Zealand Ireland Italy Australia Iceland Germany United Arab Emirates Portugal
New Zealand has been named the safest country for women, LGBTQIA+ travelers and people of colour. Photo: Roy’s Peak at Lake Wanaka.
getty
Ranking: Safest countries for women, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and people of color
Costa Rica made it into the top 10 for the first time.
New Zealand Canada Ireland Australia United Kingdom Costa Rica Iceland Norway Germany Italy
Switzerland was one of the countries inducted into the Safety Hall of Fame. The photo shows a train crossing the Landwasser Viaduct in the Swiss Alps.
getty
Safest Country: Hall of Fame
While the top 15 safest countries can change from year to year, certain destinations consistently score high in safety. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection created the Safe Travel Hall of Fame to recognize countries that have maintained a top 10 ranking since 2018. This list is in no particular order.
• Switzerland
• Australia
• Canada
• new zealand
• Iceland
• Norway
• Ireland
• Japan
More from Forbes:
Forbes New Report Ranks Top 25 Coolest Cities in the U.S. and Canada By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes Top 30 Most Walkable Cities in the World, According to New Report By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes New Report and the world’s most affordable countries for expats to live in, Laura Begley Bloom
Source link
