Turkey rates 7/10 overall on this index — Exercise Caution — ranking #34 of 51 destinations scored here. Crime 7.5/10, health 8/10, political stability 6/10. That is an editorial estimate, not a travel advisory.
7
/ 10
Eastern Europe · ranked #34 of 51 destinations scored here · Eastern Europe average 4.2/10 across 3 destinations
Crime safety
7.5 / 10
Violent crime, theft, and organised-crime exposure. 0.1 above the 51-destination average of 7.4.
Health risk
8 / 10
Healthcare quality, disease risk, and food and water safety. Exactly the 51-destination average.
Political stability
6 / 10
Government stability, conflict risk, and terrorism. 1.3 below the 51-destination average of 7.3.
Natural-disaster exposure
5 / 10
Earthquake, flood, volcanic, and cyclone exposure. 1.1 below the 51-destination average of 6.1.
Tourist friendliness
8 / 10
Infrastructure, harassment, and scam prevalence. Exactly the 51-destination average.
Every dimension is scored so that 10 is safest — a low natural-disaster figure means high exposure, not low.
Turkey's strongest dimension is tourist friendliness at 8/10; its weakest is natural-disaster exposure at 5/10. That gap, not the headline score, is the part worth planning around.
Istanbul and tourist areas: generally safe. Elevated terrorism risk (historically). Border areas with Syria/Iraq: avoid completely. Earthquake risk is serious (1999 and 2023 major events). Some political tensions.
Turkey is rated Exercise Caution. Risk here is usually concentrated in specific areas and situations rather than spread evenly, so a national average hides most of what matters. Check the region-level detail in the current FCDO and State Department advice before booking.
Always check official advisories — UK FCDO (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice), US State Dept (travel.state.gov), or your country's official travel advisory before any international trip. Situations change rapidly.
Scores are editorial summaries. Use current government advisories and risk agencies before making a go/no-go decision.
Showing 51 countries
Consistently ranked world's most peaceful country (GPI). Lowest crime rate in Europe. Main risks: extreme weather, volcanic activity.
One of world's safest. Low crime. Watch for avalanche risk in mountain areas and extreme cold in winter.
Among Europe's safest. Virtually no natural disaster risk. Petty theft in Copenhagen tourist areas.
Extremely safe. World's happiest country. Minimal tourist crime. Cold weather hazards in winter.
Extremely safe and well-organised. Mountain activity risk (avalanche, hiking). Political neutrality is genuine.
Extremely safe. Rare violent crime. Earthquake risk (Wellington especially). Water quality excellent.
Very safe for tourists. Petty crime in Dublin city centre. No significant political instability.
Arguably Asia's safest city. Strict laws — no chewing gum, no jaywalking. Drug trafficking: death penalty.
Remarkably low crime — leaving belongings unattended is normal. High earthquake, tsunami, and typhoon risk.
Very safe. Midges (biting insects) in summer highlands are an irritant, not a danger. Weather changes rapidly — proper gear essential for Highlands. Water: safe to drink everywhere.
Very safe. One of Europe's friendliest to tourists. Pickpockets in Lisbon trams. Wildfire risk in summer (rural areas).
Very safe. Low violent crime. Petty theft in big cities. Stable political environment.
Very safe. Watch for bike theft (Amsterdam) and pickpockets in tourist areas. Cyclist-pedestrian conflicts on bike paths.
Very safe country. Natural dangers: deadly marine life (jellyfish, sharks, stonefish), spiders, snakes — stay alert in wilderness. Bushfire risk summer.
Extremely safe for tourists. Very low crime. High earthquake risk and typhoon season (July–October). China–Taiwan tensions are political background noise, not an immediate tourist concern.
Very safe. Extremely low crime. Strict laws: no drugs, no public intoxication, no displays of affection. Being gay is illegal and prosecuted. Modest dress required outside tourist/hotel areas.
Very safe. Wildfire risk in BC/Alberta. Bear and wildlife encounters (follow guidelines). Cold weather hazards. Some urban crime in specific areas.
Very safe, including as a solo female destination. North Korea situation exists but Seoul is 250km from border — not a daily concern. Typhoons possible September.
Generally very safe. Pickpocket hotspot in Barcelona (La Rambla, Metro). Some regional political tensions.
Generally very safe. Knife crime in some urban areas (avoid at night). Terrorism alert level elevated but attacks are rare. London pickpockets on the Underground.
Generally safe. Pickpockets prolific in Paris (Eiffel Tower, Metro, tourist sites). Occasional protests. Terrorism risk exists (France is a target) but remains low probability.
Safe for tourists. Pickpockets in Rome, Florence, Naples. Vesuvius/Etna volcanic risk (dormant). Scooter theft in Naples.
Very safe tourist destination. Low crime on resort islands. Ocean safety: currents, stings, marine hazards — follow resort guidelines. Climate change threatens long-term habitability.
One of the Middle East's safest countries for tourists. Low crime. Stable government. Regional tensions exist (proximity to Syria/Israel-Palestine) but Jordan itself is very calm.
Generally safe. Petty crime (bag snatching on motorbikes) in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Typhoon risk central coast (September–December). Traffic is chaotic.
Vast country — safety varies enormously by state and city. Gun violence is a real and statistically elevated risk vs. other developed nations. Traffic: drive defensively. Healthcare is extremely expensive without insurance.
Generally safe for tourists post-civil war. Economic crisis (2022) has stabilised. Occasional political unrest. Flood and landslide risk in wet season. Dengue fever risk.
Very low violent crime — one of Latin America's safest. Police presence high. Economic hardship drives petty theft. Healthcare good by regional standards. Political restrictions — avoid political commentary.
Generally safe. KL and Penang: well-policed tourist areas. Bag snatching can occur at night. Eastern Sabah (Borneo): piracy and kidnapping risk in coastal areas near Philippines border — check current advice.
Generally safe for tourists but requires awareness. Scams very common (tuk-tuk, gem, jet-ski). Occasional political instability (avoid protest areas). Road traffic deaths are very high — take care on roads.
Generally safe. Main risks: scooter accidents, drink spiking at clubs (especially in Kuta/Seminyak), volcanic eruptions (Agung). Bali belly (food illness) common. Don't rent a scooter without experience — most tourist accidents are scooter-related.
Generally safe in tourist areas (Bali, Lombok). High natural disaster risk: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding. Bali: petty theft and scooter accidents are main tourist risks.
Generally safe. Harassment (touts, guides) in medinas is persistent but not dangerous. Solo female travel requires awareness. Earthquake risk (High Atlas region).
Istanbul and tourist areas: generally safe. Elevated terrorism risk (historically). Border areas with Syria/Iraq: avoid completely. Earthquake risk is serious (1999 and 2023 major events). Some political tensions.
Low crime, very friendly. Altitude sickness is the primary danger for trekkers (real and potentially fatal above 3,500m). Earthquake risk is high. Hire experienced guides for Everest treks.
Tourist zones (Cairo, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh, Nile cruise) are generally safe with visible security. Sinai Peninsula: parts under 'Do Not Travel' advisory. Avoid large gatherings and political discussion.
Buenos Aires: petty crime, express kidnapping risk (use official taxis, not street hails). ATM safety. Economic instability creates some uncertainty. Patagonia: very safe but extreme weather risk.
One of West Africa's most stable democracies. Accra: crime in certain areas, pickpockets. Northern regions: some risk. Yellow fever vaccination required. Malaria prophylaxis essential. Excellent entry point for West Africa.
Safety varies enormously by region. Rajasthan/Goa generally safe; remote areas need caution. Health risks from food/water are real. Solo female travellers: exercise significant additional caution. Traffic: extremely dangerous.
Safety has transformed dramatically. Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá (major areas): increasingly safe with precautions. Remote jungle areas: still dangerous. Scopolamine (burundanga) drug used in scams — decline drinks from strangers.
Lima: moderate crime (bag theft, express kidnapping — avoid unofficial taxis). Cusco and Machu Picchu area: safe for tourists. Altitude sickness genuine risk (Cusco at 3,400m). Political instability occasionally surfaces.
Mexico City, Oaxaca, Yucatán: generally safe for tourists with common sense. Northern border states, Guerrero, Sinaloa: serious cartel activity — avoid. Never self-drive at night. Overall crime rate is high.
Nairobi: crime in certain areas, especially at night. Coastal region (Lamu, Mombasa): Al-Shabaab risk in border areas. Safari lodges: secure. Yellow fever vaccination required. Malaria prophylaxis essential for most regions.
Most tourist islands (Palawan, Boracay, Cebu) are safe. Mindanao and Sulu archipelago: serious security risk (kidnapping, terrorism) — avoid. Typhoon risk is significant (Pacific typhoon belt).
Cape Town (tourist areas), Kruger, Garden Route: manageable with precautions. Extremely high violent crime overall. Never walk alone at night anywhere. Don't display phones/cameras. Hire licensed guides and use reputable transport.
Rio de Janeiro: fascinating but high crime. Ipanema/Copacabana beaches: phone/bag snatching constant. Favela tours: only with reputable guides. São Paulo: similar pattern. Northeast coast more relaxed. Never resist a robbery — comply and walk away.
Specific US city entry. Very high crime rate — one of highest murder rates in USA. French Quarter and tourist areas: managed risk with precautions. Do not walk alone at night outside tourist zones. Hurricane season June-November.
Tigray conflict (2020-2022) has officially ended but tensions remain. Check FCDO/State Dept for current regional advisories. Addis Ababa, Lalibela, Simien Mountains: generally safe with precautions. Malaria risk. Health infrastructure limited outside cities.
Do not travel. Active war in Ukraine. Western nationals face arrest risk. Flights severely restricted. Foreign assets can be seized. Many countries advise against all travel.
Active armed conflict. All travel strongly advised against. Martial law in effect. Air raid alerts nationwide. If you are there, leave immediately via land border or commercial flight if safe to do so.
Military coup 2021. Active civil war. Tourists have been detained. No reliable rule of law. Critical infrastructure unreliable. Do not travel.
Score Components
Data Sources
Scores are editorial estimates based on multiple data sources and are updated periodically. They represent general conditions, not point-in-time safety guarantees.
Safety is just the start. Check visas, vaccines, and packing requirements before you go.