A new global Travel Safety Index has ranked the the most dangerous country, compiled by financial comparison site HelloSafe. The index evaluated 35 different criteria condensed into five broad categories:
- Natural disaster frequency
- Societal violence
- Armed conflict (internal and external)
- Health infrastructure
- Militarization
Each country received a score between 0 (safest) and 100 (most dangerous). According to HelloSafe, the index “is not intended to reflect the tourist attractiveness of a country, but rather a global index of security and safety based on the largest possible number of objective criteria.”
With a score of 82.32, the Philippines emerged as the world’s most dangerous country, primarily due to high levels of societal violence. The index cites ongoing threats from local rebel groups such as Abu Sayyaf, a designated terrorist organization known for kidnapping foreigners for ransom.
A recent example of the country’s volatility includes the October 2024 abduction of 26-year-old American YouTuber Elliot Onil Eastman, who was kidnapped at gunpoint by four masked men impersonating police officers on a southern island. He is now presumed dead.

Despite such incidents, the Philippines remains a top travel destination, attracting 5.4 million international tourists in 2024, thanks to its scenic beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
Other countries in the top 5
Following closely behind the Philippines are Colombia and Mexico, with scores of 79.21 and 78.42, respectively. Both nations were flagged for high levels of crime and kidnapping, particularly in areas like Michoacán and Sinaloa, which the U.S. State Department advises travelers to avoid.
India ranked fourth with a score of 77.86, amid renewed tensions with Pakistan following clashes in the disputed Kashmir region. Russia, currently embroiled in its ongoing war with Ukraine, took fifth place with a score of 75.65.
The Ten Most Dangerous Countries for Travel in 2024:
- Philippines (82.32)
- Colombia (79.21)
- Mexico (78.42)
- India (77.86)
- Russia (75.65)
- Yemen (74.60)
- Indonesia (72.94)
- Somalia (70.80)
- Mozambique (69.69)
- Pakistan (68.03)
Safest Destinations Concentrated in Europe
In contrast, Iceland earned the title of safest country in the world with a remarkably low score of 18.23, thanks to its political stability, low crime rate, and strong infrastructure. It was followed closely by Singapore (19.99) and Denmark (20.05).
The top 10 safest countries were dominated by European nations, indicating a concentration of peace and stability across the continent.
The Ten Safest Countries for Travel in 2024:
- Iceland (18.23)
- Singapore (19.99)
- Denmark (20.05)
- Austria (20.31)
- Switzerland (20.51)
- Czech Republic (21.19)
- Slovenia (21.44)
- Finland (21.81)
- Ireland (22.49)
- Hungary (22.87)
Surprisingly, the United States ranked 14th most dangerous, with a score of 59.47, despite recent reports showing a general decline in crime rates across major U.S. cities. The ranking reflects persistent issues such as gun violence, mass shootings, and inconsistent healthcare access.