The UAE recently ranked as the second safest country in the world on Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, closely following Andorra. Countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) dominated this year’s ranking with Qatar coming in third place and Oman ranking fifth globally following Taiwan. Other GCC states in the top 20 included Saudi Arabia in 14th place and Bahrain in 16th place.
On Numbeo’s 2025 Crime Index, the UAE also ranked as the country with the second lowest rate of crime globally, further solidifying its status as one of the safest countries in the world.
Numbeo derives its data from surveys conducted by visitors. Questions in these surveys are designed to be similar to many scientific and government surveys. For instance, the crime index takes into account survey responses about the general perception of crime levels, perceived safety, concerns about specific crimes, property crimes, and violent crimes.
To make rankings easier to interpret, Numbeo presents them on a scale ranging from 0 to 100. This scale allows for a clear and straightforward understanding of the data, facilitating meaningful comparisons.
Why is the UAE the second safest country in the world?
The UAE is considered the second safest country in the world because it has strict laws regarding crime, drug use and public behavior, with severe penalties for violations. This acts as a deterrent to criminal activities. Law enforcement is highly efficient, with a strong police presence and a well-equipped security infrastructure.
The country also has extensive surveillance, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping authorities monitor and prevent crime effectively. Artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives are also contributing to quick crime detection and resolution.
The UAE’s strong economy and high standard of living reduce incentives for crime. The government invests in social welfare and job opportunities, preventing socio-economic issues that could lead to unrest.
Women and children can move around safely, even at night, due to well-lit streets, frequent police patrols and strict anti-harassment laws. Tourists also frequently report feeling secure in the UAE compared to many other global destinations.
The 20 safest countries in the world
According to the 2025 Safety Index by Numbeo, the 20 safest countries in the world include:
1. Andorra – 84.7
2. UAE – 84.5
3. Qatar – 84.2
4. Taiwan – 82.9
5. Oman – 81.7
6. Isle Of Man – 79.0
7. Hong Kong (China) – 78.5
8. Armenia – 77.9
9. Singapore – 77.4
10. Japan – 77.1
11. Monaco – 76.7
12. Estonia – 76.3
13. Slovenia – 76.2
14. Saudi Arabia – 76.1
15. China – 76.0
16. Bahrain – 75.5
17. South Korea – 75.1
18. Croatia – 74.5
19. Iceland – 74.3
20. Denmark – 74.0
Read:Â 15 safest countries in the world to live and visit in 2025
What are the least safe countries in the world?
The report surveys 147 countries around the world. This year, the countries with the lowest rankings in safety include Venezuela in 147th place, Papua New Guinea in 146th, Haiti in 145th, Afghanistan in 144th and South Africa in 143rd.
Numbeo also ranks countries by quality of life, with the UAE coming in 20th globally. Other notable mentions on the list include Oman which came in 4th following Luxembourg, Netherlands and Denmark. Qatar ranked 9th in quality of life while Saudi Arabia came in 21st.
