Choosing a safe country: Essential criteria for expats
For expatriates, the ideal destination is primarily one where they feel at ease. This sense of well-being is gauged through several key criteria: quality of life, tranquility, safety, and accessibility. Accessibility not only refers to a diverse and modern transport system but also includes good space sharing (pedestrian, bicycle, and car access) and facilities (ground markings, pedestrian lights with sound, ramps, and the removal of high curbs for easy access to shops and other places).
It's no surprise that countries with the lowest crime rates are also perceived as the safest. However, the general sense of security is notably high, even though it's essential to differentiate between actual insecurity—quantifiable through data like theft and crime rates—and perceived insecurity, which is subjective and might increase even if crime rates are falling. The French Center for the Observation of Society sheds light on this paradox, suggesting that 'the less violence a society experiences, the more sensitive its people become to residual incidents.' Factors such as persistent rudeness, unaddressed damage, and media emphasis on minor crimes can significantly heighten this sense of insecurity.
The criteria deemed essential by expatriates can vary based on their individual needs and expectations. For example, families often prioritize the emphasis a country places on education and the resources dedicated to maintaining a high-quality educational environment. Nonetheless, the destinations considered safest for expatriates generally remain consistent across different expatriate profiles.
The safest countries for expats
For 16 consecutive years, Iceland has been recognized as the safest country for expatriation, according to the 2023 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics & Peace. This index evaluates 163 countries using three major criteria: societal safety and security, degree of militarization, and the extent of domestic and international conflicts. These criteria are further broken down into 23 sub-criteria, including incarceration and homicide rates, the frequency and duration of domestic conflicts, political stability, and societal perceptions of crime. A lower index score, approaching 1, signifies a higher level of safety. Iceland, noted for its political stability and minimal internal or international conflicts, records a score of 1.124. Following closely, Denmark claims the second spot with a score of 1.31, improving its position from the previous year and also ranked as the second-happiest country globally. Ireland has risen to third place with a score of 1.312, climbing five positions from last year.
Other safe countries for expats
The Index reveals that the three safest destinations for expatriates are all located in Europe. New Zealand has dropped to fourth, while Australia has moved down to fifth. Singapore makes its debut in the sixth spot. Portugal has dropped three places to seventh, followed by Slovenia in eighth. Japan holds the ninth position, and Switzerland rounds out the top ten.
Concerns in the world's most peaceful country
Even Iceland, the highest-ranked nation, isn't without its flaws. Since 2008, its score has decreased by 4% due to heightened terrorism risks and an increase in homicides, including four shootings and multiple knife attacks from February 2021 to April 2022—an anomaly for a country with just four gun-related deaths in over two decades. In September 2022, Icelandic police successfully prevented a terrorist plot, arresting four nationals, although the charges were subsequently dismissed for being "too vague." Despite these challenges, Iceland's reputation as a tranquil sanctuary remains fundamentally intact.
