For 2020, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic are the riskiest countries to visit, according to International SOS, a health and security company.
The ranking, which considers medical risk, travel security and road safety, lists Switzerland as the safest nation, alongside Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Andorra. These countries, which are all in Europe, get the highest possible score in all three categories.
Medical risk is based on an assessment of infectious disease burden, environmental factors, medical evacuation capabilities, road trauma risk, the standard of emergency services, the quality of medical care and pharmaceutical availability.
Travel security risk looks at the threat posed to travellers by terrorism, insurgency, war and violent and petty crime.
Road safety is measured by the number of road deaths per 100,000. In 2018, 228 people died on Swiss roads. This is less than 3 per 100,000, one of the lowest rates in the world.
In another recent ranking of the best places to be a woman, Switzerland scored highest in the world for perception of community safety, one element of the ranking.
More on this:
Travel Risk Map (in English)
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JOYPATTINSON says
I would be unsure of such a statement about safety without frontiers and borders. We are unprotected surely? Anybody can drive into the country.
Adam says
As an American, traveling in Switzerland was a shock. More so than anything, the extent to which things work like clockwork: Road debris are removed in minutes not weeks. Drivers actually follow the speed limit. Everything is clean. I wonder at times if my great grandfather made a mistake immigrating to the United States.
Christopher says
The amount of spelling and grammatical errors in this article are astonishing. Not to mention the fact that the link “Travel Risk Map (in English)” directs to a Swiss federal agricultural report in French, German and Italian… Wake up folks. There are enough English speakers around to have these articles properly proof-read.
Le News says
Many thanks Christopher. We work hard to proof read everything. We have now corrected the link. Please point out any grammatical or spelling errors (spell check is not showing any) and we’ll correct those too. We once had a dedicated proof reader but in the end the cost was too great. If you know any willing volunteers please let us know.
Christopher says
Thank you for modifying the link.
Here are some other noticeable errors:
First sentence: unnecessary comma after Central African Republic.
Second paragraph: Switzerland is listed alongside a list of countries, including Switzerland again. Switzerland can’t be listed alongside itself.
Fifth paragraph, 2nd sentence: “228 people died on Swiss road.” Should be plural – Swiss roads.
I would be glad to be a volunteer proof reader, depending on the frequency and amount to be done – you have my email from the comment verification.
I understand the cost burden, and honestly I appreciate the work that you all do. When I was an English instructor I frequently distributed your print version to students for relatively easy reading assignments on current local events.
JOYPATTINSON says
As a proof-reader of English myself, I couldn’t agree more. It is quite unacceptable to make errors these days.
Ajinkya says
You didn’t mention. Basel is on racism in Switzerland 🙂
I live here.
Xavier says
That’s very true, the Swiss are very racist people.
Livia Varju says
Geneva sure isn’t safe. There is much crime, there are brutal attacks by bands of young men, some victims are handicapped for life. Women walking alone are attacked, etc. etc.
Gupu says
Try Caracas or N’djemena…