Mapped: 30 Safest Cities in the World in 2025

Where are the safest cities in the world in 2025? According to the Numbeo Safety Index (mid-2025), cities in the United Arab Emirates dominate the top of the list, with Abu Dhabi claiming the #1 spot for the fourth 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 rankings have shifted compared to previous years.

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 88.8 — the highest of any city globally
• UAE cities claim 5 of the top 6 spots (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah) — though the 2026 Iran conflict has significantly impacted safety conditions across the Gulf (see editorial note above)
• European cities dominate the top 30, with 16 entries including The Hague, Munich, and Ljubljana
• Taipei (#7) is the highest-ranked East Asian city, outperforming Tokyo and Seoul
• Quebec City (#24) is the safest city in the Americas
• The gap between the safest and most dangerous cities remains stark: Abu Dhabi scores 88.8 vs. Pietermaritzburg’s 17.3

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 Mid-2025)

1. Abu Dhabi, UAE — Safety Index: 88.8

Abu Dhabi has reigned as the world’s safest city for four consecutive years, and in mid-2025, its lead has only grown. The UAE capital scored an exceptional 88.8 on the Safety Index — the highest score 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 of the day or night.

⚠️ March 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. Ajman, UAE — Safety Index: 85.4

Ajman, the smallest emirate in the UAE, ranks 2nd globally. 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.

3. Doha, Qatar — Safety Index: 84.3

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. Qatar’s strict legal framework serves as a strong deterrent against criminal activity.

⚠️ March 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 insulated from regional conflicts.

4. Dubai, UAE — Safety Index: 83.9

Dubai — the UAE’s most cosmopolitan city with over 3 million 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 of over 17 million visitors annually.

⚠️ March 2026 update: Dubai has sustained damage from Iranian strikes, including hits to its international airport, hotels along the coastline, and Amazon data centers. Airspace is closed and commercial flights are suspended. The city’s reputation as the Middle East’s safest cosmopolitan hub is under unprecedented strain.

5. Ras al-Khaimah, UAE — Safety Index: 83.8

The northernmost emirate in the UAE, 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.

6. Sharjah, UAE — Safety Index: 83.7

Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE and a UNESCO-designated cultural capital of the Arab World, rounds out the UAE’s remarkable showing. Its emphasis on education, arts, and family-friendly policies contributes to an exceptionally safe urban environment.

7. Taipei, Taiwan — Safety Index: 83.6

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: 81.1

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. Tourists consistently praise the sense of security they feel throughout the city.

⚠️ March 2026 update: Despite Oman’s longstanding role as a neutral intermediary between the West and Iran, the country has come under repeated Iranian 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. Commercial flights remain largely canceled.

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. Tampere, Finland — Safety Index: 79.6

Finland’s third-largest city and a former industrial hub turned innovation center, Tampere benefits from the Finnish model of social trust and strong public institutions. Located between two large lakes, it’s known as the “Sauna Capital of the World” and offers an excellent quality of life with minimal crime.

11–15: Trondheim, Eindhoven, Munich, Ljubljana, Lugano

Trondheim, Norway (79.3) — Norway’s third-largest city, a university town with a relaxed atmosphere. Eindhoven, Netherlands (79.1) — The “City of Light” and home to Philips, with excellent safety. Munich, Germany (78.8) — Bavaria’s capital combines tradition and modernity with the safety to match. Ljubljana, Slovenia (78.6) — One of Europe’s greenest and safest capitals. Lugano, Switzerland (78.6) — A lakeside gem in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.

16–20: Zagreb, Hong Kong, Tartu, Tallinn, Chiang Mai

Zagreb, Croatia (78.5) — An increasingly popular destination with affordable European charm. Hong Kong (78.5) — One of Asia’s safest cities despite its massive density. Tartu, Estonia (78.3) — A quiet university city and European Capital of Culture 2024. Tallinn, Estonia (78.2) — The world’s most digital city with low crime. Chiang Mai, Thailand (77.8) — Northern Thailand’s cultural hub and a digital nomad favorite.

21–25: Groningen, Bern, Cluj-Napoca, Quebec City, Singapore

Groningen, Netherlands (77.9) — A vibrant student city in the north. Bern, Switzerland (77.6) — Switzerland’s laid-back capital. Cluj-Napoca, Romania (77.6) — A tech hub and Romania’s safest major city. Quebec City, Canada (77.5) — The safest city in the Americas, with Old World charm. Singapore (77.4) — The city-state famous for strict law enforcement and cleanliness.

26–30: Yerevan, Utrecht, Zurich, Bergen, Reykjavik

Yerevan, Armenia (77.4) — A surprising entry, the ancient capital offers excellent safety. Utrecht, Netherlands (78.0) — The Netherlands’ most bicycle-friendly city. Zurich, Switzerland (76.8) — Global financial center with exceptional public safety. Bergen, Norway (76.0) — Norway’s “Gateway to the Fjords.” Reykjavik, Iceland (75.6) — The capital of the world’s most peaceful country rounds out the top 30.

Complete Rankings Table

Rank	City	Country	Safety Index	Crime Index
1	Abu Dhabi	🇦🇪 UAE	88.8	11.2
2	Ajman	🇦🇪 UAE	85.4	14.6
3	Doha	🇶🇦 Qatar	84.3	15.7
4	Dubai	🇦🇪 UAE	83.9	16.1
5	Ras al-Khaimah	🇦🇪 UAE	83.8	16.2
6	Sharjah	🇦🇪 UAE	83.7	16.3
7	Taipei	🇹🇼 Taiwan	83.6	16.4
8	Muscat	🇴🇲 Oman	81.1	18.9
9	The Hague	🇳🇱 Netherlands	80.0	20.0
10	Tampere	🇫🇮 Finland	79.6	20.4
11	Trondheim	🇳🇴 Norway	79.3	20.7
12	Eindhoven	🇳🇱 Netherlands	79.1	20.9
13	Munich	🇩🇪 Germany	78.8	21.2
14	Ljubljana	🇸🇮 Slovenia	78.6	21.4
15	Lugano	🇨🇭 Switzerland	78.6	21.4
16	Zagreb	🇭🇷 Croatia	78.5	21.5
17	Hong Kong	🇭🇰 China (SAR)	78.5	21.5
18	Tartu	🇪🇪 Estonia	78.3	21.7
19	Tallinn	🇪🇪 Estonia	78.2	21.8
20	Chiang Mai	🇹🇭 Thailand	77.8	22.2
21	Groningen	🇳🇱 Netherlands	77.9	22.1
22	Bern	🇨🇭 Switzerland	77.6	22.4
23	Cluj-Napoca	🇷🇴 Romania	77.6	22.4
24	Quebec City	🇨🇦 Canada	77.5	22.5
25	Singapore	🇸🇬 Singapore	77.4	22.6
26	Yerevan	🇦🇲 Armenia	77.4	22.6
27	Utrecht	🇳🇱 Netherlands	78.0	22.0
28	Zurich	🇨🇭 Switzerland	76.8	23.2
29	Bergen	🇳🇴 Norway	76.0	24.0
30	Reykjavik	🇮🇸 Iceland	75.6	24.4

Methodology

The data in this post is based on the Numbeo Crime Index mid-2025 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 neighboring 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.

Sources