[HelloSafe Index] Map of the world's least safe countries to travel to in 2024

Methodology

The HelloSafe Index is designed to assess the overall safety of countries around the world through an in-depth analysis based on a set of 35 criteria grouped into five main categories, with data drawn from official reference sources, in particular various UN agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNODC, UNHCR, UNSD, FAO), the World Bank and numerous international research bodies (IEP, EIU, IMDC, SIPRI, IISS, UCDP). These criteria cover various aspects of safety, from environmental risks to societal and political aspects, including involvement in armed conflicts and the quality of health infrastructures. The HelloSafe Index is also intended to be updated annually. If necessary, methodological changes can be made to the index to bring it ever closer to the reality of safety in each country. Here is the list of the 5 categories of criteria selected for the HelloSafe Index:

1. Occurrence of natural disasters: This category examines the frequency and severity of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods, as well as risks linked to climate change such as rising sea levels.

2. Violence in society: This section assesses the levels of crime, violence and political instability in society. It takes into account indicators such as perceived crime rates, the number of homicides and the impact of terrorism.

3. Involvement in internal or external armed conflicts: This category measures countries' involvement in armed conflicts, whether within or outside their borders, and assesses relations with neighbouring countries.

4. Health infrastructure: This section analyses the capacity of countries' health systems, including hospital infrastructure, per capita health spending and the availability of medical staff.

5. Militarisation of the country: Finally, this section examines the degree of militarisation of countries, taking into account military spending, the presence of heavy and nuclear weapons, and participation in international peace missions.

List of 35 indicators by category

Category 1: Occurrence of natural disasters (30 points)

1. Earthquakes: Frequency and magnitude of earthquakes.
2. Tsunamis: Frequency and impact of tsunamis.
3. Coastal flooding: Frequency and severity of floods affecting coastal areas.
4. River floods: Frequency and severity of floods affecting river areas.
5. Cyclones: Frequency and impact of tropical cyclones.
6. Droughts: Duration and intensity of drought periods.
7. Sea level rise: Potential impact of rising sea levels on populations and infrastructure.

Category 2: Violence in society (20 points)

8. Perceived level of criminality in society: General perception of criminality by inhabitants.
9. Number of refugees and percentage of internally displaced people in the country's population: Proportion of the population living as refugees or internally displaced people.
10. Political instability: Level of political instability and internal conflict.
11. Scale of political terror: Impact and presence of political terror.
12. Impact of terrorism: Frequency and severity of terrorist acts.
13. Number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants: Homicide rate in relation to population.
14. Level of violent crime: Incidence of violent crime such as assault and robbery.
15. Violent demonstrations: Frequency of violent demonstrations and civil unrest.
16. Number of people imprisoned per 100,000 population: Incarceration rate.
17. Number of security and police officers per 100,000 inhabitants: Availability of law enforcement officers per inhabitant.
18. Ease of access to small arms and light weapons: Accessibility of weapons to the population.

Category 3: Involvement in internal or external armed conflicts (20 points)

19. Number and duration of internal conflicts: Frequency and duration of conflicts within the country.
20. Number of deaths in organised external conflicts: Number of deaths resulting from military conflicts involving other nations.
21. Number of deaths in organised internal conflicts: Number of deaths resulting from internal armed conflicts.
22. Number, duration and role in external conflicts: Involvement in armed conflicts outside national borders.
23. Intensity of organised internal conflicts: Severity and impact of internal armed conflicts.
24. Relations with neighbouring countries: Level of tension or cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Category 4: Health infrastructure (20 points)

25. Healthcare capacity: Availability and quality of healthcare services.
26. Medical staff capacity: Number and quality of health professionals.
27. Structural health capacity: State and availability of health infrastructure.
28. Hospital beds: Number of available hospital beds per inhabitant.
29. Health expenditure per capita: Budget allocated per capita to healthcare.

Category 5: Militarisation of the country (10 points)

30. Percentage of military expenditure in GDP: Proportion of GDP devoted to military expenditure.
31. Number of armed services personnel per 100,000 inhabitants: Number of active military personnel per inhabitant.
32. Volume of major conventional arms transfers as recipient (imports) per 100,000 population: Quantity of weapons imported.
33. Volume of major conventional arms transfers as supplier (exports) per 100,000 inhabitants: Quantity of arms exported.
34. Financial contribution to UN peace-building missions: Level of financial participation in UN peace-building missions.
35. Nuclear and heavy weapons capability: Possession and development of nuclear and heavy weapons.

These indicators provide a detailed picture of the security situation in each country, taking into account multiple dimensions that are essential for understanding the threats and challenges that each nation may face.

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