Introduction to Global Safety Trend
Safety perceptions have reached an all-time high globally, even as conflicts proliferate around the world. According to the Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report, released in September 2025, 73% of adults across 144 countries and territories reported feeling safe walking alone at night in their local areas.
This marks the highest level since Gallup began tracking the metric in 2006, surpassing the 70% recorded in 2023. The report, based on surveys of over 145,000 individuals, underscores a Law and Order Index that evaluates personal security through three key pillars: nighttime safety perceptions, confidence in local police, and experiences with theft or assault in the past year.
This upward trend persists despite geopolitical tensions, including ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East, which affected 2024 data collection. However, disparities remain stark.
While high-income nations and stable regions report near-universal security, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America lag, with countries like South Africa at just 33% feeling safe at night. For travelers prioritizing secure environments—especially those venturing out solo after dark—these insights highlight destinations where law enforcement and societal trust converge to minimize risks.
Transitioning from broad trends, the report spotlights 10 standout countries where over 90% of residents express confidence in nighttime safety. These rankings reflect not just low crime rates but systemic strengths in policing and community cohesion. As tourism rebounds post-pandemic, understanding these factors becomes essential for informed planning.
Singapore: The Unrivaled Leader in Urban Security
Singapore tops the Gallup rankings for the 12th consecutive year, achieving a 98% score in the 2025 report. This city-state's success stems from a multifaceted approach to public order, including zero-tolerance policies for minor infractions like littering or vandalism, enforced through swift judicial processes.
In 2024, Singapore's overall crime rate stood at 5,956 incidents per 100,000 residents, a 5% decline from 2023, per the Singapore Police Force's annual statistics.
Advanced surveillance plays a pivotal role, with over 100,000 closed-circuit television cameras monitoring public spaces, integrated into a centralized command system that responds to incidents within minutes.
Public trust in the police reaches 99%, the highest globally, fostering a culture where residents actively report suspicious activities. For international visitors, this translates to seamless experiences in areas like Marina Bay, where midnight walks along illuminated waterfronts feel routine rather than risky.
Moreover, Singapore's gender parity in safety perceptions 98% for men and 97% for women sets a benchmark. The Women's Charter and dedicated anti-harassment units ensure protections that extend to tourists, making it a preferred destination for female solo travelers.
As one official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs noted in July 2025, "Our commitment to a safe Singapore is non-negotiable, backed by data-driven policing and community partnerships."
Tajikistan: Remarkable Progress in Central Asia
Ranking second with a 95% safety score, Tajikistan has shown dramatic improvement since 2020, when its figure hovered around 85%. This Central Asian nation, bordered by Afghanistan and China, attributes its rise to post-civil war reforms that bolstered border security and rural policing.
The 2024 National Security Strategy allocated 12% of GDP to law enforcement enhancements, including 2,500 new community officers trained in de-escalation techniques.
Crime rates have plummeted: violent offenses dropped 18% year-over-year, according to Interior Ministry data released in March 2025. In Dushanbe, the capital, residents now enjoy 24/7 patrolled parks and low-light pedestrian zones, contributing to the high nighttime confidence.
Gallup analysts credit this to increased female participation in the police force, now at 25%, which has narrowed the gender safety gap to just 4 percentage points.
For travelers, Tajikistan offers affordable, off-the-beaten-path adventures, from Pamir Highway treks to historic Silk Road sites, all underpinned by a hospitable culture that views guests as protected kin. Yet, challenges like economic pressures persist, prompting ongoing investments in digital monitoring to sustain these gains.
China: Scale and Discipline in Safety Management
China secures third place at 94%, leveraging its vast resources for nationwide security. The country's "Safe City" initiative, expanded in 2024 to cover 1,000 urban centers, deploys facial recognition and AI-driven analytics across 600 million cameras. This infrastructure reduced reported assaults by 22% in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, as per the Ministry of Public Security's 2025 white paper.
Public confidence in police stands at 92%, bolstered by rapid response units that average under 7 minutes for emergencies. During the 2024 National Day holiday, when 1.2 billion domestic trips occurred, zero major incidents were recorded in monitored zones, exemplifying the system's efficacy.
For foreigners, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy in 54 cities enhances accessibility, allowing secure explorations of landmarks like the Great Wall even after sunset.
Critics note privacy concerns, but proponents emphasize outcomes: a 15% drop in theft since 2022. As a spokesperson for the State Council remarked in August 2025, "Harmonious society begins with personal security, achieved through technology and rule of law."
Oman: Tranquility in the Gulf Heartland
Tied for fourth at 94%, Oman exemplifies Gulf stability through measured governance. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's Vision 2040 plan invests $14 billion in smart city projects, including Muscat's expanded CCTV network covering 85% of public areas. Crime statistics for 2024 show a 9% decrease in petty offenses, with the Royal Oman Police reporting 98% resolution rates for reported cases.
Oman's social fabric, rooted in Ibadism's emphasis on consensus, fosters community vigilance. Nighttime safety scores near 96% in rural governorates, where tribal mediation complements formal law enforcement. Tourists flock to wadis and souks without hesitation, supported by multilingual hotlines operational 24/7.
The nation's neutrality in regional affairs further enhances its appeal, drawing 4 million visitors in 2024 a 12% increase—many citing safety as the primary draw.
Saudi Arabia: Modernization Meets Security
Saudi Arabia's 93% score reflects Vision 2030's transformative impact. Reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have modernized the justice system, reducing case backlogs by 40% through digital courts. In Riyadh, the 2025 crime index from Numbeo ranks it among the world's safest capitals, with assaults down 25% since 2021.
The Public Security Directorate's 170,000-strong force employs predictive analytics, preventing 3,200 potential incidents in 2024 alone. Women's safety has surged, with 89% now feeling secure at night up from 72% in 2019 thanks to dedicated patrols and apps like "Katib" for real-time alerts.
As the kingdom hosts mega-events like the 2034 World Cup bid, these measures ensure a secure environment for global audiences.
Hong Kong: Resilience Amid Transitions
At 91%, Hong Kong maintains its edge through adaptive policing. Despite 2024's political shifts, the Hong Kong Police Force's 35,000 officers achieved a 97% conviction rate for serious crimes. Surveillance upgrades post-2020 added 10,000 cameras in high-traffic districts like Tsim Sha Tsui, correlating with a 14% drop in street robberies.
Residents' 93% trust in law enforcement, per local surveys, stems from transparent operations and community liaison programs. For visitors, the MTR's late-night services and well-lit harbors make midnight explorations effortless.
Kuwait: Efficient Governance in Action
Kuwait's 91% ranking highlights oil-funded security investments totaling $2.8 billion in 2024. The Ministry of Interior's biometric border controls and drone patrols have slashed illegal entries by 30%. Crime victimization surveys show only 1.2% affected annually, far below global averages.
Public confidence peaks at 95%, driven by anti-corruption drives that cleared 1,500 cases in 2024.
Norway: Social Trust as Security Foundation
Norway's 91% score, the highest in Europe, relies less on surveillance and more on equity. With a homicide rate of 0.5 per 100,000 in 2024—per Statistics Norway—the welfare state's 82% police trust rating enables proactive community policing. Oslo's "Trygg i Oslo" program reduced nighttime incidents by 18% since 2022.
Gender equality laws ensure 90% female safety perceptions, making fjord hikes safe year-round.
Bahrain: Compact Power in Regional Stability
Bahrain at 90% benefits from its size, allowing comprehensive coverage. The National Guard's 2024 upgrades included 500 AI cameras, yielding a 20% crime reduction. Trust in institutions hits 94%, with rapid judicial processes averaging 45 days per case.
United Arab Emirates: Global Hub of Secure Innovation
Closing the top 10 at 90%, the UAE's federal approach integrates emirate-specific strategies. Dubai's 2025 Smart City report details 300,000 cameras and a 99.9% emergency response uptime. Tourism safety drew 17 million visitors in 2024, with zero terror incidents.
Factors Driving Safety Excellence
Across these nations, common threads emerge: $500 billion collective investment in security since 2020, per World Bank estimates. Strict enforcement reduces impunity, while 85% average police trust versus 62% globally builds resilience. Social cohesion, evident in Norway's model, complements tech in Singapore. Yet, climate migration poses future challenges, as noted in the UN's 2025 Security Outlook.
For deeper insights, explore our guide on solo travel tips for women or low-crime destinations in Asia .
Global Context and India's Position
The Gallup report paints a varied global picture. Asia dominates the top tier, with six entries, while Latin America's Ecuador hits a record low of 27%. Sub-Saharan Africa's South Africa remains at 33%, tied to high homicide rates of 45 per 100,000.
India scores 72%, above the global average and aligned with Bulgaria and Cyprus. Urban hubs like Mumbai report 68% nighttime safety, per NCRB 2024 data showing a 4% crime dip. Initiatives like Smart Cities Mission, deploying 50,000 cameras, aim for top-50 status by 2030. Still, rural-urban gaps and inequality evident in 22% female underreporting signal areas for growth.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Secure Horizons
The 2025 Gallup findings affirm that safety is achievable through deliberate policy and trust-building. These 10 countries, from Singapore's precision to Norway's equity, offer blueprints for secure living and travel. As global mobility surges—projected at 1.8 billion international trips by 2030 choosing such destinations ensures peace of mind.
