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Record Perceptions of Safety in 2025

In a year defined by unprecedented global conflict, a surprising trend has emerged: more individuals are reporting feelings of safety than ever before. According to the 2025 Global Safety Report by Gallup, an astounding 73% of adults worldwide feel secure walking alone at night in their own neighborhoods. This record-high sentiment marks the most positive response since Gallup began tracking global safety in 2006.

Regional Improvements Drive Confidence

The report highlights significant improvements in perceived safety across various regions, such as the Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, for the first time, 50% of individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean reported feeling safe walking alone at night. This growing assurance is commendable, especially when weighed against the backdrop of global turmoil.

Jon Clifton, Gallup’s CEO, remarked, "Even amidst conflict and uncertainty, people around the world are building safer communities from the ground up. These findings demonstrate that safety is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of trust, institutions, and collective resilience."

Singapore Leads Global Safety Rankings

Leading the way in perceptions of safety is Singapore, with an impressive 98% of residents feeling secure walking alone after dark. This is Singapore's twelfth consecutive year at the top of the global safety rankings. In sharp contrast, South Africa reported the lowest perception of security worldwide, with just 33% of adults expressing feelings of safety. Following closely were neighboring countries Lesotho and Botswana, each at 34%.

Persistent Gender Disparities

While many regions celebrate rising feelings of safety, significant gender gaps remain evident. Globally, only 67% of women reported feeling safe walking alone at night, compared to 78% of men. In over 100 countries and territories, this gender gap exceeded 10 percentage points. Wealthy nations like the United States, Australia, and several EU member states exhibited some of the most considerable gender disparities, with gaps of 26 points or more.

In the United States, 71% of adults felt safe walking at night, mirroring sentiments from previous years. However, here too, women feel a stark contrast in safety, with only 58% stating they feel secure compared to 84% of men.

GCC Countries Show High Safety Perceptions

The list of countries with the highest safety perceptions is notably dominated by members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Each of these nations received safety ratings exceeding 90%.

A New Alliance in Safety Research

To produce this comprehensive report, Gallup partnered with the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University. This collaboration aims to merge Gallup's global data insights with the CIC's expertise in violence prevention and peacebuilding. Together, these organizations emphasize how local initiatives, strong institutions, and targeted policies can significantly enhance safety across various regions.

Daniel Friedman, director of programs at the CIC, pointed out, "Gallup’s findings confirm what we often observe in our research: even in times of escalating conflict, people's sense of security is deeply tied to their local communities. Understanding what makes people feel safe — and how decision-makers can collaborate to foster that sense of security — is essential for building more resilient and peaceful societies. This demonstrates that positive change is indeed possible."

About Gallup

Since its inception over 80 years ago, Gallup provides insights and guidance to leaders and organizations on urgent challenges they face. Its global reach and unparalleled understanding of citizens' attitudes and behaviors position Gallup as a leader in the analysis of public sentiment worldwide.

About the Center on International Cooperation

The CIC at NYU has been a prominent research think tank for over two decades, focusing on policy research that connects issues of security, justice, development, and humanitarian concerns.