The most dangerous countries in the world to visit in 2020 have been revealed in the latest global security risk report

Now in its 11th year, the Travel Risk Map is an interactive tool produced by security specialists at International SOS. It is used to predict the safest and conversely the most dangerous places to visit in the year ahead.

The map comprises three sections: medical, security and road safety. For the security section, countries are indexed according to their travel security risk rating, which uses five risk definitions: insignificant, low, medium, high and extreme.

International SOS uses a number of criteria to assess how the conditions in the country may impact visitors’ security and safety including ‘the threat posed to travellers and international assignees by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) as well as violent and petty crime.’

Other factors assessed include transport infrastructure, the capability of security and emergency services, and the threat of natural disasters.

It’s also possible to use the map to assess medical risk and road safety standards around the world.

The report goes as far as to predict eight upcoming potential geopolitical events that could affect global security. These events include the upcoming US presidential election, tensions in the Korean peninsula and social disturbances and identity politics in Europe.

MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

These are the 10 most dangerous countries in the world according to International SOS. They have been assessed as carrying an ‘extreme travel security risk’.

Afghanistan

Central African Republic

Iraq

Libya

Mali

Somalia

South Sudan

Syria

Ukraine

Yemen

“Government control and law and order may be minimal or non-existent across large areas. Serious threat of violent attacks by armed groups targeting travellers and international assignees. Government and transport services are barely functional. Large parts of the country are inaccessible to foreigners.” International SOS

SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

At the other end of the spectrum, the following 11 countries have been assessed as carrying an ‘insignificant travel security risk’ to travellers and therefore the safest countries to visit.

“Rates of violent crime are very low. There is no significant political violence or civil unrest and little sectarian, communal, racial or targeted violence against foreigners. Security and emergency services are effective and infrastructure is sound. Transport services are of a high standard with good safety records and only occasional travel disruption. Industrial action affecting essential services is rare.” International SOS

Complete rankings

Most countries in Europe along with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have been assessed as carrying a ‘low travel security risk’.

Likewise, many countries in Asia and the Middle East including Jordan, Oman, Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Brunei are considered ‘low risk’.

Some countries fall into more than one category where regions within a country carry varying security risks to travellers.

Extreme Afghanistan

Central African Republic

Iraq

Libya

Mali

Somalia

South Sudan

Syria

Ukraine

Yemen High Burkina Faso

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Egypt

El Salvador

Haiti

Honduras

India (part)

Mexico (part)

Niger

Nigeria

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Venezuela Medium Algeria

Angola

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Chad

Colombia

Comoros

Congo

Costa Rica (part)

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

East Timor

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Fiji

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

India

Indonesia

Iran

Israel

Ivory Coast

Jamaica

Kenya

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Mauritania

Mexico

Mongolia

Mozambique

Myanmar (Burma)

Nepal

Nicaragua

North Korea

Peru

Philippines

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Swaziland (Eswatini)

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Togo

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Uganda

Ukraine (unoccupied area)

Zimbabwe Low Albania

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Benin

Bhutan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brunei

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Dominica

Ecuador

Equatorial Guinea

Estonia

France

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Hong Kong

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Macedonia

Malawi

Malaysia

Malta

Mauritius

Moldova

Monaco

Montenegro

Morocco

Namibia

Netherlands

New Zealand

Oman

Panama

Paraguay

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Senegal

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Spain

South Korea

Suriname

Sweden

Taiwan

Thailand

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vatican City

Vietnam

Zambia Insignificant Andorra

Denmark

Finland

Greenland

Iceland

Luxembourg

Marshall Islands

Norway

Slovenia

Switzerland

Tuvalu

The full interactive map by International SOS can be accessed here.

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