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How safe would you feel walking alone at night where you live? According to Gallup’s latest Global Safety Report, more people around the world feel secure today than they did a decade ago — but the picture varies widely depending on the country.
Global Safety Trends
Gallup surveyed over 140,000 people across 140 countries and found that 71% of respondents feel safe walking alone at night in their neighborhoods. That’s an increase from 64% in 2013 — although slightly down from a peak of 72% in 2020.
But progress hasn’t been consistent everywhere. People in former Soviet states reported feeling much safer compared to 20 years ago, but safety perceptions have declined in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
One of the most dramatic shifts has been in Israel — where the percentage of people feeling safe at night fell from 88% before the October 7, 2023, attacks to 68% afterward.
Ecuador stands out as the least safe country, with only 27% of Ecuadorians saying they feel comfortable walking alone at night — a steep drop from previous years. The decline is largely due to a surge in drug-related violence and organized crime. Once one of the safest countries in South America, Ecuador has experienced a rise in homicides and gang activity, fueled by its strategic position along drug trafficking routes. Despite increased security efforts, feelings of safety remain low among the population.
In contrast, El Salvador — which ranked near the bottom in Gallup’s 2016 poll — is now tied for eighth. This improvement follows President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive crackdown on gangs. While the policy has been controversial, it has dramatically reduced homicide rates and increased public confidence in safety.
Safest and Most Dangerous Countries to Walk Alone at Night
Here’s a look at the top and bottom-ranking countries based on how safe people feel walking alone at night:
Top 10 Safest Countries (% of people who feel safe):
Singapore – 94%
Norway – 92%
Iceland – 92%
Finland – 91%
Switzerland – 90%
Denmark – 90%
Slovenia – 89%
El Salvador – 88%
Netherlands – 88%
Canada – 87%
10 Least Safe Countries (% of people who feel safe):
Ecuador – 27%
Afghanistan – 32%
South Africa – 35%
Venezuela – 36%
Papua New Guinea – 38%
Brazil – 40%
Nigeria – 41%
Mexico – 42%
Peru – 43%
Colombia – 44%
What Makes a Country Feel Safe?
Why do some countries feel safer than others? A few key factors seem to play a major role:
GDP per capita: Countries with higher GDP per capita tend to report higher feelings of safety. For example, Singapore, Switzerland, and Norway — all among the safest countries — have some of the highest GDP per capita in the world.
Democracy Index: Democratic countries often have higher trust in institutions and law enforcement. Nations like Norway and Switzerland rank high on the Democracy Index.
Crime Rates: Lower crime rates and effective policing contribute directly to feelings of safety. Singapore, for example, has one of the lowest crime rates globally due to strict enforcement and social orde.
Social Trust: Scandinavian countries consistently report high levels of trust in their governments and fellow citizens, reinforcing the sense of security.
Political Stability: Countries with stable political systems and low levels of corruption tend to rank higher in safety perceptions.
How Safe Is Your Country?
It’s encouraging to see that more people worldwide feel safer today than they did a decade ago; however, the disparities between regions remain significant. Why do you think some countries feel safer than others? Have you noticed changes in your local safety over the years? Let us know in the comments below!
