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Global Safety Ratings Reach an Unprecedented Record

In a year defined by exceptional global conflicts, the perception of safety has hit an all-time high. According to the 2025 Global Safety Report by Gallup, an impressive 73% of adults worldwide reported feeling secure when walking alone at night in their communities, marking the highest level since Gallup began tracking these trends in 2006.

Regional Gains in Security

The surge in feelings of safety is largely attributed to several regions around the world. Notable contributions have come from the Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Particularly, Latin America and the Caribbean have reached a notable milestone, with over 50% of the population feeling safe during night walks for the first time.

Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasized that even amid conflict and uncertainty, individuals across the globe are fostering safer communities from the ground up. "These findings suggest that safety transcends mere absence of violence; it involves the presence of trust, solid institutions, and collective resilience," he noted.

Singapore Tops Global Safety Rankings

Leading the list of the safest countries is Singapore, where an astonishing 98% of residents report feeling secure walking alone at night. This achievement marks the twelfth time Singapore has topped the global ranking. Conversely, South Africa holds the lowest safety perception globally, with only 33% of adults feeling safe. Neighboring countries Lesotho and Botswana closely follow with 34%.

Gender Disparities in Safety Perception

Significant disparities in feelings of safety persist, particularly between genders. Globally, 67% of women reported feeling safe walking alone at night compared to 78% of men. In more than 100 countries and territories, the gap exceeds 10 percentage points. Some high-income countries, including the United States, Australia, and several EU member states, exhibit pronounced gender disparities of 26 points or more.

In the U.S., 71% of adults consider themselves safe during nighttime walks, aligning with recent years' findings. However, this apparent safety hides one of the largest gender gaps among high-income nations, where only 58% of women feel secure, in stark contrast to 84% of men.

GCC Countries Feature in the Top Ten Safest Nations

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries prominently feature in the list of the ten countries with the highest perceptions of safety. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates report safety levels exceeding 90%.

A Partnership for Safety Data and Policy

The report comes from a collaboration between Gallup and the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University. This partnership marries Gallup's extensive global data with CIC's expert insights on violence prevention and peacebuilding. The organizations stress how localized efforts, robust institutions, and targeted policies can enhance security across different regions.

Daniel Friedman, Program Director at CIC, remarked, "Gallup's results reinforce what we often observe in our research: even amidst rising conflicts, people's sense of safety is deeply intertwined with their local communities." He further highlighted the need to understand what fosters that sense of security and how policymakers can cooperate to support it.

Conclusion

Gallup’s insights are a hopeful reminder that despite global challenges, it is possible to cultivate a safer environment. Through collaboration, community engagement, and empowered institutions, we can work towards a more resilient and peaceful global society.

About Gallup

Gallup has been providing analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations address their most pressing challenges. With over 80 years of experience and a global footprint, Gallup possesses unparalleled expertise in understanding global citizens' attitudes and behaviors.

About the Center on International Cooperation (NYU)

The Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University has established itself as a leader in applied policy for over two decades, linking policies with security, justice, development, and humanitarian issues.