One of the nine criteria used to create a quality of life sub-ranking that goes into U.S. News‘ rankings of the best countries for 2023 is safety. Based on a poll of more than 17,000 people from throughout the world, the overall Best Countries research evaluated 87 nations using 73 distinct qualities.
Respondents were asked in the survey if they connected the word “safe” with different countries. A country’s safety ranking increased as it was associated with the attribute and vice versa. Rankings of best countries for women, best countries for raising children, best countries for solo travelers and best countries for corporate headquarters were also influenced by how safe a country was rated.
Europe was strongly represented among the countries that respondents considered safest. Of the 87 countries ranked, the United States was 46th, missing the top 10.
The study respondents rated the ten nations listed below to be the safest.
Belgium
Safety Ranking: 10
Quality of Life Ranking: 11
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 18
Netherlands
Safety Ranking: 9
Quality of Life Ranking: 7
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 10
New Zealand
Safety Ranking: 8
Quality of Life Ranking: 10
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 8
Norway
Safety Ranking: 7
Quality of Life Ranking: 2
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 11
Austria
Safety Ranking: 6
Quality of Life Ranking: 12
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 22
Denmark
Safety Ranking: 5
Quality of Life Ranking: 4
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 13
Finland
Safety Ranking: 4
Quality of Life Ranking: 5
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 14
Canada
Safety Ranking: 3
Quality of Life Ranking: 3
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 2
Sweden
Safety Ranking: 2
Quality of Life Ranking: 1
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 3
Switzerland
Safety Ranking: 1
Quality of Life Ranking: 6
Best Countries Overall Ranking: 1