Where are the safest cities in the world in 2026? According to the Numbeo Safety Index (2026), cities in the United Arab Emirates dominate the top of the list, with Abu Dhabi claiming the #1 spot for the fifth consecutive year. But the safest cities span the globe — from Finland to Thailand, and from Croatia to Canada.
In this guide, we rank the top 30 safest cities in the world based on Numbeo’s crowdsourced safety data, exploring what makes each city so secure and how the rankings have shifted compared to previous years.
⚠️ March 2026 Update: Iran War & Gulf Security Crisis
Important context: On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, triggering a regional conflict that has fundamentally altered the security landscape in the Middle East. Iran has retaliated with hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones targeting Gulf states — including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain — all of which had no involvement in initiating the conflict.
Several cities in our top 10 have been directly impacted: Dubai’s international airport was damaged and hotels along its coastline struck; a ballistic missile was intercepted over Abu Dhabi with falling debris killing two people (the UAE’s death toll has reached 11); Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex sustained significant damage; and Oman’s ports have been targeted, with Muscat’s airport now serving as an evacuation hub. Airspace across the Gulf has been closed, and the U.S. Embassy in the UAE has suspended routine consular services.
The Numbeo Safety Index data below was collected before these events (2026 survey data) and reflects everyday crime and personal safety perceptions — not geopolitical or military threats. While the Numbeo scores remain valid as a baseline for street-level safety, travelers should recognize that the current security situation in Gulf cities is drastically different from what these numbers suggest. We have retained the original rankings for reference but urge readers to consult up-to-date travel advisories before planning any trips to the region.
Interactive Map: 30 Safest Cities in the World
Explore the map below to discover the world’s safest cities. Click any marker for safety scores and details.
Key Findings
- Abu Dhabi leads the world with a Safety Index of 88.9 — the highest of any city globally
- UAE cities claim 5 of the top 6 spots (Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai) — though the 2026 Iran conflict has significantly impacted safety conditions across the Gulf (see editorial note above)
- The Netherlands is the standout in Europe, placing six cities in the top 30 (The Hague, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Groningen, plus more), the most of any country
- Taipei (#7) is the highest-ranked East Asian city, outperforming Tokyo and Seoul
- Quebec City (#24) remains the safest city in the Americas, just ahead of Mérida, Mexico (#28)
- New entries for 2026: Rijeka (Croatia), Mérida (Mexico) and Gent (Belgium) joined the top 30, while Tampere and Bern slipped out
About the Numbeo Safety Index
The Numbeo Crime and Safety Indexes are based on crowdsourced survey responses from city residents and visitors. Respondents rate their perceived safety on topics like fear of crime, safety walking alone (day and night), and level of corruption.
The Safety Index runs from 0 to 100, where higher = safer. It is inversely proportional to the Crime Index (Crime + Safety = 100). Only cities with sufficient survey responses are included. Data considers responses up to 36 months old, with more recent responses weighted more heavily.
The 30 Safest Cities in the World (Numbeo 2026)
1. Abu Dhabi, UAE — Safety Index: 88.9
Abu Dhabi has reigned as the world’s safest city for five consecutive years, and in 2026 its lead is unmatched. The UAE capital scored an exceptional 88.9 on the Safety Index — the highest of any city globally. Strict law enforcement, near-zero tolerance for petty crime, and world-class infrastructure create an environment where residents routinely report feeling safe walking alone at any hour.
⚠️ 2026 update: Abu Dhabi has been directly affected by the Iran regional conflict. A ballistic missile was intercepted over the city, with falling debris killing two people. The UAE’s national death toll has reached 11, airspace remains closed, and the U.S. Embassy has suspended routine services. These developments occurred after the Numbeo data collection period.
2. Ras al-Khaimah, UAE — Safety Index: 86.6
The northernmost emirate jumped to 2nd globally in 2026. Ras al-Khaimah offers a more relaxed pace than Dubai while maintaining the same high safety standards. Known for adventure tourism — including the world’s longest zipline — RAK combines natural beauty with the security infrastructure that makes the UAE a global safety leader.
3. Ajman, UAE — Safety Index: 86.5
Ajman, the smallest emirate in the UAE, holds 3rd place. While less famous than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Ajman benefits from the same robust security infrastructure and cultural emphasis on safety that characterizes the entire federation. Its smaller size contributes to a tight-knit community atmosphere.
4. Sharjah, UAE — Safety Index: 84.5
Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE and a UNESCO-designated cultural capital of the Arab World, climbs to 4th. Its emphasis on education, arts, and family-friendly policies contributes to an exceptionally safe urban environment.
5. Doha, Qatar — Safety Index: 84.5
Doha continues its strong showing following the 2022 World Cup, which spurred massive investment in infrastructure and security. The Qatari capital benefits from extremely low crime rates, extensive surveillance systems, and a well-funded police force.
⚠️ 2026 update: Qatar has been hit by Iranian retaliatory strikes, with significant damage to the Ras Laffan LNG complex — a critical piece of global energy infrastructure. These attacks have shattered the Gulf’s carefully cultivated image as an oasis of stability.
6. Dubai, UAE — Safety Index: 83.9
Dubai — the UAE’s most cosmopolitan city with residents from nearly 200 nationalities — maintains impressive safety metrics. Advanced smart-city technology, including AI-powered surveillance and smart policing, keeps crime rates remarkably low despite the city’s massive tourist footfall.
⚠️ 2026 update: Dubai has sustained damage from Iranian strikes, including hits to its international airport and hotels along the coastline. Airspace is closed and commercial flights are suspended. The city’s reputation as the Middle East’s safest cosmopolitan hub is under unprecedented strain.
7. Taipei, Taiwan — Safety Index: 83.5
Taipei is the highest-ranked city in East Asia and the safest non-Middle Eastern city on the list. Taiwan’s capital is renowned for its friendly locals, efficient public transportation, and vibrant night markets where visitors can wander freely at any hour. Low crime rates and strong social cohesion make Taipei a standout performer.
8. Muscat, Oman — Safety Index: 81.3
Oman’s capital city consistently ranks among the world’s safest. Muscat blends traditional Arabian architecture with modern development, and its low crime rates reflect Omani culture’s strong emphasis on hospitality and community respect.
⚠️ 2026 update: Despite Oman’s longstanding role as a neutral intermediary between the West and Iran, the country has come under repeated attack. Drone strikes have targeted the ports of Salalah and Duqm, and Muscat’s airport is now primarily serving as a base for evacuation flights.
9. The Hague, Netherlands — Safety Index: 80.0
The Hague — seat of the International Court of Justice and the Dutch government — is the safest city in Europe and the first European city on this list. Its combination of diplomatic importance, well-funded public services, and high quality of life creates an exceptionally safe environment.
10. Eindhoven, Netherlands — Safety Index: 79.1
The “City of Light” and home to Philips, Eindhoven rises into the top 10 for 2026. A compact, prosperous tech hub, it pairs strong public services with low crime and an easy, bike-friendly pace of life.
11–15: Utrecht, Trondheim, Munich, Tartu, Zagreb
Utrecht, Netherlands (79.0) — The Netherlands’ most bicycle-friendly city. Trondheim, Norway (78.9) — A relaxed university town, Norway’s third-largest city. Munich, Germany (78.9) — Bavaria’s capital combines tradition and modernity with the safety to match. Tartu, Estonia (78.7) — A quiet university city and former European Capital of Culture. Zagreb, Croatia (78.6) — An increasingly popular destination with affordable European charm.
16–20: Hong Kong, Groningen, Lugano, Tallinn, Ljubljana
Hong Kong (78.6) — One of Asia’s safest cities despite its massive density. Groningen, Netherlands (78.4) — A vibrant student city in the north. Lugano, Switzerland (78.4) — A lakeside gem in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Tallinn, Estonia (78.3) — One of the world’s most digital cities, with low crime. Ljubljana, Slovenia (78.2) — One of Europe’s greenest and safest capitals.
21–25: Chiang Mai, Yerevan, Cluj-Napoca, Quebec City, Singapore
Chiang Mai, Thailand (77.9) — Northern Thailand’s cultural hub and a digital-nomad favourite. Yerevan, Armenia (77.8) — The ancient capital offers excellent everyday safety. Cluj-Napoca, Romania (77.6) — A tech hub and Romania’s safest major city. Quebec City, Canada (77.6) — The safest city in the Americas, with Old World charm. Singapore (77.5) — The city-state famous for strict law enforcement and cleanliness.
26–30: Zurich, Rijeka, Mérida, Gent, Bergen
Zurich, Switzerland (76.6) — Global financial centre with exceptional public safety. Rijeka, Croatia (76.5) — A laid-back Adriatic port city, new to the top 30. Mérida, Mexico (76.3) — Widely regarded as the safest city in Mexico, and a new entry for 2026. Gent, Belgium (76.2) — A historic, walkable Flemish university city. Bergen, Norway (76.2) — Norway’s “Gateway to the Fjords.”
Complete Rankings Table
| Rank | City | Country | Safety Index | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abu Dhabi | 🇦🇪 UAE | 88.9 | 11.1 |
| 2 | Ras al-Khaimah | 🇦🇪 UAE | 86.6 | 13.4 |
| 3 | Ajman | 🇦🇪 UAE | 86.5 | 13.5 |
| 4 | Sharjah | 🇦🇪 UAE | 84.5 | 15.5 |
| 5 | Doha | 🇶🇦 Qatar | 84.5 | 15.5 |
| 6 | Dubai | 🇦🇪 UAE | 83.9 | 16.1 |
| 7 | Taipei | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | 83.5 | 16.5 |
| 8 | Muscat | 🇴🇲 Oman | 81.3 | 18.7 |
| 9 | The Hague | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 80.0 | 20.0 |
| 10 | Eindhoven | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 79.1 | 20.9 |
| 11 | Utrecht | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 79.0 | 21.0 |
| 12 | Trondheim | 🇳🇴 Norway | 78.9 | 21.1 |
| 13 | Munich | 🇩🇪 Germany | 78.9 | 21.1 |
| 14 | Tartu | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 78.7 | 21.3 |
| 15 | Zagreb | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 78.6 | 21.4 |
| 16 | Hong Kong | 🇭🇰 China (SAR) | 78.6 | 21.4 |
| 17 | Groningen | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 78.4 | 21.6 |
| 18 | Lugano | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 78.4 | 21.6 |
| 19 | Tallinn | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 78.3 | 21.7 |
| 20 | Ljubljana | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 78.2 | 21.8 |
| 21 | Chiang Mai | 🇹🇭 Thailand | 77.9 | 22.1 |
| 22 | Yerevan | 🇦🇲 Armenia | 77.8 | 22.2 |
| 23 | Cluj-Napoca | 🇷🇴 Romania | 77.6 | 22.4 |
| 24 | Quebec City | 🇨🇦 Canada | 77.6 | 22.4 |
| 25 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 77.5 | 22.5 |
| 26 | Zurich | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 76.6 | 23.4 |
| 27 | Rijeka | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 76.5 | 23.5 |
| 28 | Mérida | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| 29 | Gent | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 76.2 | 23.8 |
| 30 | Bergen | 🇳🇴 Norway | 76.2 | 23.8 |
Methodology
The data in this post is based on the Numbeo Crime Index 2026 rankings. The Safety Index is inversely proportional to the Crime Index (Safety = 100 − Crime). Rankings are based on crowdsourced survey responses from residents and visitors, covering perceived safety, crime levels, and walking safety during day and night. Only cities with sufficient survey responses are included.
Important limitation: The Numbeo Safety Index measures perceived everyday safety — crime rates, street safety, and personal security concerns. It does not account for geopolitical risks, military conflicts, or regional instability. Following the outbreak of the 2026 Iran War on February 28, the security situation in Gulf cities (UAE, Qatar, Oman, and neighbouring states) has changed dramatically. While the Numbeo data remains a valid indicator of baseline street-level safety, it should be considered alongside current geopolitical realities when making travel decisions. We recommend checking your government’s travel advisories for the latest guidance.
