Top Destinations for Safe Adventures in 2025 Revealed!

What are the most secure travel destinations for 2025? A recent report from International SOS—a premier security and health risk management firm—provides essential insights and actionable advice for travelers navigating an increasingly uncertain world.

International SOS has published its yearly Risk Map 2025, which forecasts what the upcoming year may unveil—from the safest countries globally to the highest-risk territories, alongside the primary challenges affecting the travel environment.

The Risk Map by International SOS evaluates threats in four crucial categories: security, medical, climate, and mental health risks. Nations are classified into five tiers of risk, ranging from minimal to severe, depending on the category. This year’s analysis also includes a more detailed breakdown, providing information on over 1,000 cities worldwide and the main drivers of risk, including conflicts, crime, infrastructure issues, and healthcare access.

Comparing these findings to last year’s International SOS report reveals a world grappling with numerous challenges. According to International SOS, 65% of senior risk management experts feel that risks have escalated over the past year, with 69% anticipating significant consequences from geopolitical tensions in 2025.

Safest Places To Travel: Most Secure Nations

So, where should you consider visiting in 2025 for reassurance? As in previous years, Scandinavian nations dominate International SOS’s list of most secure locations, including Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. These countries continually rank highly due to a blend of low crime rates, effective governmental policies, and excellent emergency services. Furthermore, Iceland has been acknowledged as the safest country in the world in several reports.

Switzerland also finds a spot on International SOS’s roster of secure nations, attributed to its political stability and low crime levels. Smaller states like Slovenia, Luxembourg, and Greenland complete the list of places with “negligible” security risks—further evidence that stable governance and robust infrastructure are essential for establishing safe travel atmospheres.

Island nations such as Cape Verde, the Seychelles, and the Marshall Islands stand out as safe destinations on the International SOS Risk Map. Cape Verde—located off the western coast of Africa—is noted for its political stability and low crime rates. The Seychelles combines an inviting culture with a calm environment situated east of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The Marshall Islands provide a peaceful retreat in a secluded area of the central Pacific Ocean.

Safest Places To Travel: Most Dangerous Countries

Conversely, certain nations present significantly higher risks. Locations such as Libya and Afghanistan rank among the most perilous destinations due to ongoing warfare, weak governmental structures, and inadequate infrastructure to address security threats. In sub-Saharan Africa, regions like Somalia and the Central African Republic are marked by instability, elevated crime rates, and fragile administrations.

“Geopolitical strife has been the most significant catalyst, with shifts in risk assessments for areas such as Sudan and Lebanon, where the intensity and spread of conflict are now affecting more populated areas, escalating the overall risk assessment,” stated Sally Llewellyn, global security director at International SOS.

Other locations classified as risky include Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel, where insecurity is worsening and external forces are supporting struggling governments. In Venezuela, authoritarian governance continues to promote emigration, while Bolivia is facing increasing instability attributed to its failing economy. Additionally, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains in a deadlock, with neither party making substantial gains.

Several other regions have recorded increases in security risk ratings due to crime trends and rising social unrest. This includes South Africa, where the risk level has escalated from medium to high for Johannesburg and eThekwini (which encompasses Durban). In Mexico, heightened cartel activity has raised apprehensions in certain areas. Growing social tensions in Kenya have similarly resulted in escalated risks. New Caledonia’s risk rating increased from low to medium, based on factors such as social unrest, economic downturn, and associated crime. Additionally, the Philippines, Thailand, and Laos also witnessed shifts in their risk ratings due to decreased militancy.

International SOS did not lower security risk ratings for any nation in 2025.

Safest Places To Travel: Health Risks

Access to quality medical care is another vital aspect for travelers. For 2025, International SOS has identified countries with the least medical risk, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and most of Europe. These regions benefit from robust healthcare systems, availability of essential medications, and dependable emergency services.

In contrast, nations like Afghanistan, North Korea, and Somalia are ranked as having exceedingly high medical risks. The reasons lie in restricted healthcare access, insufficient resources, and the prevalence of infectious diseases, posing significant challenges in these areas, which travelers should consider before arranging visits.

Two countries experiencing notable changes in medical risk this year are Bolivia (which shifted from medium to high) and Libya (which transitioned from extreme to high). “Changes to

“Medical hazards are contingent upon elements such as the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, the availability of pharmaceuticals, and the incidence of infections and diseases,” stated Dr. Katherine O’Reilly, regional medical director at International SOS.

Safest Locations for Travel: Climate Dangers

The 2025 Risk Map underscores the increasing influence of climate change on travel arrangements, assessing the nations that are most prepared to address its effects. Scandinavian nations continue to take the lead in alleviating climate-associated hazards. The rationale: proactive environmental regulations and sturdy infrastructure.

Other destinations with minimal climate risks include New Zealand and the UAE, both of which are heavily investing in sustainability initiatives and adaptation strategies while utilizing advanced technologies like “digital twins” to enhance land and water management, positioning themselves as pioneers in sustainability and adaptation.

Regions facing the gravest climate repercussions consist of several African nations (Mali, Chad, Ethiopia), along with vulnerable areas such as the Philippines and India. As noted by International SOS, these already delicate zones are affected by resource shortages and severe weather phenomena.

The 2025 Risk Map also points out the role of innovation in reducing climate-associated risks. For instance, the U.N.’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative aims to safeguard global populations against hazardous climatic events through timely predictions.

Safest Locations for Travel: Mental Health Hazards

Mental well-being is another significant issue for travelers. The 2025 Risk Map assesses countries based on the prevalence of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. It further emphasizes how global influences like misinformation, political tension, and climate anxiety are exacerbating mental health struggles.

In nations such as Vietnam, cultural perspectives and supportive social networks foster relatively low mental health risks. Similarly, Scandinavian countries like Iceland and Norway showcase lesser mental health hazards due to their robust healthcare systems, societal welfare, and focus on work-life equilibrium.

Conversely, countries like the United States rank higher on the mental health risk scale, reflecting wider societal challenges, including stress, burnout, and restricted access to mental health care in certain regions. These issues are especially pronounced in urban centers where stress levels tend to be elevated.

Continue reading for lists of some of the most secure nations for travel (based on regions with “minimal” security risk) and the most hazardous countries to visit (regions with “extreme” security risk). Nations are presented in alphabetical order. For further information, you can refer to International SOS’s complete Risk Outlook 2025 report here.

Safest Nations for Travel in 2025

• Cape Verde
• Denmark
• Finland
• Greenland
• Iceland
• Marshall Islands
• Norway
• San Marino
• Seychelles
• Slovenia
• Switzerland

Most Hazardous Countries for Travel in 2025

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• Iraq
• Libya
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Yemen

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