Special Report

Safest Cities In The World

krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images

The primary role of government is to provide security for its citizens. At the most basic level, this means offering protection from violence. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, there are many potential threats to well-being and safety — beyond physical violence — that can often be mitigated through public policy. 

Transportation safety, cyber-security, access to health care, air and water quality, emergency services responsiveness, and exposure to terrorism and civil unrest are just some of many factors that impact the overall safety of a given population. According to the 2021 Safe Cities Index, a report recently published by The Economist, some cities are meeting these challenges and protecting their citizens far better than others. 

24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2021 Safe Cities Index to identify the safest cities in the world. Cities were ranked based on an index of 76 measures that fall into one of five categories: digital security, health security, infrastructure security, personal security, and environmental security. Each of the 32 cities on this list has a higher overall safety score than the 66.1 out of 100 average among all 60 major cities reviewed in the report. 

The cities on this list are disproportionately concentrated in high-income countries with relatively little government corruption. The link between overall safety and wealth and government transparency is not straightforward, however. Rather than high income areas simply being able to afford greater security, experts argue that safe conditions and limited corruption are what have allowed economies in these areas to thrive. Here is a look at the richest countries in the world

All six American cities covered in the report have an above average overall safety score. However, none of the top 10 safest cities are in the United States. Here is a look at America’s 50 most dangerous cities.

Click here to see the safest cities in the world.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.

zorazhuang / E+ via Getty Images

32. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
> Overall safety score: 66.6 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 59.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 64.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 69.0 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 60.1 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 81.0 out-of 100
> Total population: 8,210,745

[in-text-ad]

vwalakte / iStock via Getty Images

31. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
> Overall safety score: 66.9 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 66.8 out-of 100
> Health security score: 76.5 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 77.3 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 67.0 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 46.7 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,511,768

zhaojiankang / Getty Images

30. Shanghai, China
> Overall safety score: 67.9 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 57.2 out-of 100
> Health security score: 73.6 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 80.3 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 59.0 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 69.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 27,795,702

Xantana / iStock via Getty Images

29. Rome, Italy
> Overall safety score: 69.4 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 60.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 65.2 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 74.5 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 69.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 78.0 out-of 100
> Total population: 4,278,350

[in-text-ad-2]

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

28. Lisbon, Portugal
> Overall safety score: 70.1 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 64.3 out-of 100
> Health security score: 57.5 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 77.4 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 76.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 74.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 2,971,587

Xantana / iStock via Getty Images

27. Milan, Italy
> Overall safety score: 71.3 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 65.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 61.3 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 76.6 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 68.7 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 84.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 3,144,473

[in-text-ad]

narvikk / E+ via Getty Images

26. Brussels, Belgium
> Overall safety score: 73.6 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 68.5 out-of 100
> Health security score: 67.8 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.3 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 79.2 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 70.4 out-of 100
> Total population: 2,095,688

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

25. Seoul, South Korea
> Overall safety score: 73.8 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 62.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 81.1 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 83.0 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 69.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 72.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 9,967,677

Jui-Chi Chan / iStock via Getty Images

24. Taipei, China
> Overall safety score: 74.0 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 63.2 out-of 100
> Health security score: 73.5 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.4 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 70.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 80.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 2,731,208

[in-text-ad-2]

encrier / Getty Images

23. Paris, France
> Overall safety score: 74.3 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 69.4 out-of 100
> Health security score: 68.6 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.6 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 79.0 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 71.7 out-of 100
> Total population: 11,078,546

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

22. Dallas, United States
> Overall safety score: 74.5 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 76.5 out-of 100
> Health security score: 74.6 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.9 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 61.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 77.2 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,347,120

[in-text-ad]

kasto80 / Getty Images

21. Madrid, Spain
> Overall safety score: 74.7 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 72.9 out-of 100
> Health security score: 67.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.0 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 76.6 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 73.1 out-of 100
> Total population: 6,668,865

Mlenny / E+ via Getty Images

20. Chicago, United States
> Overall safety score: 75.0 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 76.7 out-of 100
> Health security score: 74.8 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.5 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 64.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 74.0 out-of 100
> Total population: 2,679,080

AleksandarGeorgiev / E+ via Getty Images

19. Zurich, Switzerland
> Overall safety score: 76.3 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 74.8 out-of 100
> Health security score: 66.6 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.2 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 73.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 82.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,407,572

[in-text-ad-2]

Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images

18. Los Angeles, United States
> Overall safety score: 76.5 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 82.0 out-of 100
> Health security score: 74.8 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.9 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 66.6 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 76.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 3,983,540

Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images

17. Osaka, Japan
> Overall safety score: 76.7 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 64.8 out-of 100
> Health security score: 81.8 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 86.6 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 73.2 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 77.0 out-of 100
> Total population: 19,110,616

[in-text-ad]

IakovKalinin / Getty Images

16. London, United Kingdom
> Overall safety score: 77.2 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 76.6 out-of 100
> Health security score: 78.8 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 82.7 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 74.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 73.7 out-of 100
> Total population: 9,425,622

bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images

15. San Francisco, United States
> Overall safety score: 77.2 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 82.0 out-of 100
> Health security score: 77.3 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 83.6 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 64.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 78.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 883,255

rarrarorro / iStock via Getty Images

14. Washington, D.C., United States
> Overall safety score: 77.4 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 72.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 74.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 86.5 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 66.8 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 87.6 out-of 100
> Total population: 714,153

[in-text-ad-2]

vichie81 / iStock via Getty Images

13. Frankfurt, Germany
> Overall safety score: 77.7 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 76.7 out-of 100
> Health security score: 72.3 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.1 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 80.3 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 74.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 784,780

Gatsi / iStock via Getty Images

12. Barcelona, Spain
> Overall safety score: 77.8 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 72.9 out-of 100
> Health security score: 78.1 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 83.7 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 75.8 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 78.4 out-of 100
> Total population: 5,624,498

[in-text-ad]

TomasSereda / Getty Images

11. New York, United States
> Overall safety score: 77.8 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 81.6 out-of 100
> Health security score: 75.2 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.4 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 66.9 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 80.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 8,230,290

nantonov / iStock via Getty Images

10. Stockholm, Sweden
> Overall safety score: 78.0 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 72.6 out-of 100
> Health security score: 66.5 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 87.3 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 79.7 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 83.7 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,656,571

Nikada / E+ via Getty Images

9. Hong Kong, China
> Overall safety score: 78.6 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 70.1 out-of 100
> Health security score: 84.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 93.4 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 70.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 74.8 out-of 100
> Total population: 7,598,189

[in-text-ad-2]

GordonBellPhotography / Getty Images

8. Melbourne, Australia
> Overall safety score: 78.6 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 78.3 out-of 100
> Health security score: 81.9 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.0 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 73.0 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 76.1 out-of 100
> Total population: 5,061,439

Robert CHG / iStock via Getty Images

7. Wellington, New Zealand
> Overall safety score: 79.0 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 77.3 out-of 100
> Health security score: 63.4 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.2 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 78.3 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 91.7 out-of 100
> Total population: 215,100

[in-text-ad]

tunart / iStock via Getty Images

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
> Overall safety score: 79.3 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 79.3 out-of 100
> Health security score: 72.5 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 83.5 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 80.5 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 80.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,157,519

yongyuan / Getty Images

5. Tokyo, Japan
> Overall safety score: 80.0 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 71.0 out-of 100
> Health security score: 87.7 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 87.7 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 73.3 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 80.6 out-of 100
> Total population: 37,339,804

zetter / Getty Images

4. Sydney, Australia
> Overall safety score: 80.1 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 83.2 out-of 100
> Health security score: 77.7 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 84.5 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 76.3 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 79.0 out-of 100
> Total population: 4,991,654

[in-text-ad-2]

TommL / Getty Images

3. Singapore, Singapore
> Overall safety score: 80.7 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 82.8 out-of 100
> Health security score: 84.1 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 92.1 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 74.5 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 69.9 out-of 100
> Total population: 5,991,801

Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images

2. Toronto, Canada
> Overall safety score: 82.2 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 75.0 out-of 100
> Health security score: 80.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 88.6 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 77.2 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 90.3 out-of 100
> Total population: 6,254,571

[in-text-ad]

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
> Overall safety score: 82.4 out-of 100
> Digital security score: 82.2 out-of 100
> Health security score: 70.0 out-of 100
> Infrastructure security score: 89.0 out-of 100
> Personal security score: 86.4 out-of 100
> Environmental security score: 84.5 out-of 100
> Total population: 1,358,608

Methodology

To determine the safest cities in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2021 Safe Cities Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by NEC Corporation, an information technology company. The report ranks 60 cities across 76 indicators covering digital security, health security, infrastructure security, environmental security, and personal security. Data on population came from the World Population Review, which is based on data from the World Urbanization Prospects of the United Nations. Data on population density is from the June 2021 edition of the World Urban Areas report from urban development website Demographia.

The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)

Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.

A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.