What is the least safe country in the world for tourists?
Based on 2025–2026 data, the least safe countries for tourists are generally considered to be Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and Sudan due to extreme risks from terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Other high-risk destinations often cited include Russia, Ukraine, Haiti, and Venezuela.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
The "red" category includes 11 countries whose citizens would be completely banned from entering the United States. These countries are Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, according to the New York Times.
1. Iceland. Topping the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world. This island nation has exceptionally low crime rates, no standing military, and a strong sense of community.
The Proclamation continues the full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries established under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The 18 countries with no restrictions are: UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan.
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia and Canada to be the most peaceful countries, while Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Russia, Syria, Israel and Mali to be the least peaceful.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in 2022, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark and Austria.
Profiles of the Worst Countries in the World for Tourists to Visit
Afghanistan. Since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan upon the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021, the country has become even more dangerous—particularly for US citizens.
Yemen is the least peaceful country in the world in the 2024 GPI, followed by Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. This is the first year that Yemen has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the world, with the country having fallen 24 places in the rankings since the inception of the index.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism(opens in a new tab) to learn more. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom.
The top five most sanctioned countries in 2025 are Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. These nations continue to attract global sanctions due to geopolitical conflicts, nuclear programs, human rights violations, corruption, or destabilizing international activities.
At the moment, you should avoid holidays to countries with "do not travel" advisories due to conflict, terrorism, or political instability, including Afghanistan, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), Central African Republic, Libya, and Venezuela, according to UK (FCDO) and US (State Dept) guidance, plus general risk assessments for 2026. Some regions within otherwise safer countries like Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, Egypt, and Ethiopia also carry significant warnings.
Australia, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand are among the most popular visa-free destinations for UK citizens—all except the USA are members of the Commonwealth Nations. But in light of political instability, British citizens seek options in the EU more often.
International terrorists have staged attacks in the UK. The UK Government's national terrorism threat level is 'substantial', meaning it assesses an attack is likely. The terrorism threat level for Northern Ireland is 'substantial', meaning an attack is likely.
According to the World Population Review, countries like Haiti, Mexico, and South Africa have the most dangerous cities in the world with the highest crime rates.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
