Ranked: most dangerous countries in the world 2023

The most dangerous countries in the world to visit in 2023 have been revealed in the latest Travel Risk Map

The most dangerous countries to visit in 2023 are Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen according to the latest Travel Risk Map, an interactive tool produced by security specialists at International SOS.

The map is used to predict the safest and, conversely, the least safe countries in the world to visit and has four layers in total covering a country’s security risk, medical risk, and the impact of the pandemic on travel and domestic operations.

For the security layer of the map, 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’ safety and security.

These include the threat posed to travellers by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) and 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.

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’.

These include Ukraine, where Russia launched an invasion in February 2022; Afghanistan, which saw the Taliban take over in August 2021 as foreign forces pulled out of the country; and Syria which has been embroiled in civil war since 2011.

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• Iraq
• Libya
• Mali
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Yemen

A further four countries include regions (known as Security Risk Zones) that have been rated as an ‘extreme travel security risk’.

“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 18 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

The most dangerous countries in Asia are Afghanistan and Pakistan; and Syria, Iraq and Yemen in the Middle East.

The most dangerous countries in Africa are Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan. In the Americas, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela are considered ‘high security risk’.

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Lead image: timsimages.uk/Shutterstock