Safest vs Most Dangerous Countries 2025: India falls behind Pakistan & Iraq
by Jaya Pathak
- Iceland: A place where everyone always wanted to go. It is like this bubble of nothing (low crime, everyone knows everyone, biggest worry is volcanic ash or something). It scores well in the index, with very little violence, great community spirit, and no to a military spending like who needs an army with geysers and Northern Lights? There is the Nordic cool, you, see?
- New Zealand: Many people told how safe it all was in the countryside. Little murder, nice policemen, and a state which is really welfare-oriented. They have risen above those earthquakes and even managed the pandemic like champs. Next there is Ireland, with its green fields, pubs, and supposedly low levels of street crime. My ancestors are Irish way back, and family lore makes it sound idyllic, but the rain must grow tiresome.
- Denmark: Bicycle-friendly cities and social nets that ensure low inequality, so less crime out of desperation. Austria in there, too: the cafes and mountains of Vienna, a super-solid place politically. Portugal takes others by surprise, but with its sunny beaches and falling crime rates, it is rising up the ranks. Singapore – intensively clean, highly laws, is like a fortress, yet in a good sense. Switzerland as a neutral and well living country. All saunas and education focus in Finland. And completing the top 10 is Slovenia – underrated jewel of Europe, serene post-Yugoslavia energy.
What connects these locations? According to my armchair travels (which really amounts to mostly watching YouTube and talking to friends who live around the world), it purportedly goes like good education, universal healthcare, low corruption, and neighbours who keep an eye on one another. No piling wealth divide, so less individuals resorting to crime through sheer necessity. And most of them are relatively tiny nations that do not cause huge geopolitical sleepless nights.
So, it is time to turn the script to the most dangerous countries in 2025. These are the ones you would hesitate taking a ticket to, depending on what the index scores such as: active conflicts, terrorism, and high levels of violent crime. Afghanistan leads it, sadly â incessant war, Taliban domination, and floods washing away fields. One of the journalist said that ; it is havoc with people running away every day.
Yemen, the next, ripped apart by war and blockades â children dying of hunger, bombs being thrown out. Syria, unable to recover even after more than ten years of war, earthquakes piling on. South Sudan, fledgling country that dealt with ethnic conflicts and famines. Iraq – ok, we will come back to this.
And after that Russia, its Ukraine fracas, just leaked out into internal conflict. Ukraine itself, of course, war-torn. Venezuela, economic breakdown into gangs and shortages. Myanmar, soldier suppression and rebellion. And Libya, pre-Gaddafi vacuum of militias on the rampage.
Okay, here is the part that made me write this: India lagging behind Pakistan and Iraq. India was somewhere around 126 in the 2025 index, not the last place but really far back with a score that places it at riskier than Pakistan at around 120 and Iraq mended to around 110 or so. Going over the reports again, and yes, there it is in print, so to speak. This hurts as an Indian. We consider ourselves this emerging giant, soaring economy, technology hotspots, Bollywood hit parades, yet the security figures tell otherwise.
Why? Well, as far as all have seen, living here, talking with people, it is a mash. Increasing cases of crimes against women, communal tensions that re-emerge every now and then, and urban pandemonium in such cities as Delhi or Mumbai where muggings and frauds get reported every day is the order of the day. Rural poverty gives rise to desperation thefts and police corruption means stuff does not get resolved fast. And 1.4 billion meanwhile, even small percentages all up to large numbers.
As compared to Pakistan. They have terrorism, political instability, and borders to worry about, yet the general peace-score of this country is slightly better, it seems. Perhaps city/urban security or cultural reasons? Iraq is even more surprising, and now post-ISIS they are rebuilding and the blasts may still occur once in a while in Baghdad, but the index shows that there were improvements in stability, as well as fewer violent casualties. Rebuilding oil money, maybe? It is crazy to imagine that India, its democracy and its growth record is rated lower. Makes you doubt priorities: we invest billions of dollars in space exploration, and in highways, but in basic safety? Well, not so much.
Conclusion
So, what is the importance of this ranking? It is not bragging rights alone. These lists are consulted by tourists before purchasing a trip, Companies make investment decisions basing on stability. And to locals, it is a wake-up call. We require stronger law enforcement, gender equality education and addressing causes of the problem, such as unemployment, in India. I have actually volunteered with some of the NGOs around here, and they tell me community policing and awareness programs assist, but it is slow.
It is safest countries in the world invested in people: in mental health, in jobs, in equality. The harmful ones are locked into cycles of violence and abandonment. Compares to the attempt of riding a Delhi metro with one sweating on his belongings. It is not right, but it is reality.
By 2025, when climate change is fuelling scuffles on resources, these rankings may change further. Countries such as the US or UK also have problems such as gun violence, riots, but they are not at the top of the list because they have the better systems.
Remain informed, donate to charities, which help dangerous areas, elect better policies. Become a savvy traveller â accelerate I look at the advisories. In case of India, push towards change: Report crimes, participate in safety drives. Place safety is up to us.
FAQ – Safest vs Most Dangerous Countries 2025
Q1. Which is the safest country in the world in 2025?
Iceland has been ranked the safest country in the world in 2025. It has very low crime rates, minimal violence, strong community bonds, and no military conflicts.
Q2. What are the top 10 safest countries in 2025?
The top 10 safest countries in 2025 are:
Iceland
New Zealand
Ireland
Denmark
Austria
Portugal
Singapore
Switzerland
Finland
Slovenia
Q3. Which is the most dangerous country in 2025?
Afghanistan continues to be ranked as the most dangerous country in 2025 due to ongoing conflict, Taliban control, terrorism, and humanitarian crises.
Q4. What are the top 10 most dangerous countries in 2025?
According to the Global Peace Index 2025, the most dangerous countries are:
Afghanistan
Yemen
Syria
South Sudan
Iraq
Russia
Ukraine
Venezuela
Myanmar
Libya
Q5. Why did India fall behind Pakistan and Iraq in safety rankings 2025?
India was ranked around 126 in 2025, lower than Pakistan (120) and Iraq (110). The reasons include rising crimes against women, communal tensions, urban crime, police inefficiency, and corruption. Despite economic progress, internal safety challenges pushed India lower on the index.
Q6. Is Pakistan safer than India in 2025?
Yes, according to the 2025 peace index, Pakistan ranked slightly safer than India. While Pakistan faces terrorism and political instability, India’s high crime rates, gender-based violence, and law enforcement issues impacted its ranking more negatively.
Q7. How did Iraq improve in 2025 rankings?
Iraq, though still fragile, has shown improvements since the fall of ISIS. With reconstruction efforts, reduced terrorist incidents, and better security, its ranking improved compared to India in 2025.
Q8. Why are smaller countries often safer?
Smaller countries like Iceland, New Zealand, and Slovenia tend to be safer because they have:
Lower inequality
Strong welfare systems
Community policing
Lower geopolitical involvement
Better education and healthcare
Q9. How do safety rankings affect tourism and investment?
Tourists rely on these rankings before traveling, and companies use them to decide where to invest. Safer countries attract more visitors and foreign investments, while dangerous ones lose economic opportunities.
Q10. Can India improve its ranking in future?
Yes, India can improve by:
Strengthening law enforcement
Improving women’s safety
Reducing corruption
Promoting community policing
Addressing poverty and unemployment
Q11. Which developed countries face safety challenges despite not being in the bottom list?
Countries like the USA and UK are not among the most dangerous but face challenges like gun violence, riots, and internal unrest. Stronger systems and governance prevent them from ranking as low as war-torn nations.
Q12. How does climate change affect safety rankings?
Climate change can worsen conflicts over resources, food, and migration. In the coming years, even relatively stable nations may face rising risks due to environmental challenges.
Q13. Should Indians worry about safety rankings?
Yes, while rankings don’t mean India is “unsafe everywhere,” they highlight areas needing urgent reform. For locals, it’s a reminder to demand stronger safety measures, and for travelers, it’s about being cautious.
Q14. What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)?
The Global Peace Index is an annual ranking by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) that measures the relative safety and peacefulness of 163 countries based on crime rates, conflicts, political instability, and military spending.
Q15. How can individuals contribute to improving safety in India?
Reporting crimes instead of ignoring them
Supporting NGOs working on safety and women empowerment
Participating in awareness programs
Electing leaders who prioritize law and order
