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Record High in Global Safety Perception Amidst Conflict: Gallup 2025 Report

In an extraordinary year marked by ongoing global conflict, the 2025 Global Safety Report by Gallup uncovers an uplifting trend: an increasing number of people feel safe in their environments. According to the report, 73% of adults around the globe expressed feeling safe walking alone at night—the highest percentage recorded since Gallup began tracking this data in 2006.

Safety Gains Across Regions

The surge in safety perception has been particularly pronounced in various regions, including the Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. Latin America and the Caribbean reached a historic milestone, as 50% of residents reported feeling secure when walking at night for the first time. This impressive statistic reflects significant progress and community action towards creating safer spaces.

"Despite the backdrop of conflict and uncertainty, individuals worldwide are taking proactive steps to foster safety within their communities," stated Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup. He emphasized that safety transcends merely the absence of violence; it embodies the presence of trust, robust institutions, and communal resilience.

Singapore's Reign at the Top

Leading the global rankings for perceived safety is Singapore, where a staggering 98% of residents report feeling safe walking at night. This accomplishment marks the twelfth consecutive year Singapore has claimed the top position. In sharp contrast, South Africa demonstrates the lowest safety perception, with just 33% of adults feeling secure, followed closely by Lesotho and Botswana, both at 34%.

Gender Disparities in Safety Perception

Despite the overall encouraging data, significant disparities exist, particularly along gender lines. Globally, 67% of women reported feeling safe walking alone at night, compared to 78% of men. In over 100 nations and territories, gender-based gaps in safety perceptions exceeded 10 percentage points. Notably, several high-income countries, including the United States, Australia, and numerous EU member states, showcased some of the largest disparities, with differences exceeding 26 points. In the United States, while 71% of adults feel safe at night, only 58% of women share that sentiment, juxtaposed against 84% of men, highlighting a considerable gender gap.

GCC Countries Show Strong Safety Ratings

The report further identifies that five of the ten countries with the highest perceived safety levels are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates each reported safety ratings exceeding 90%.

Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Safety

In a groundbreaking initiative, Gallup joined forces with the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University to create this comprehensive report. The collaboration aims to merge Gallup's extensive data with CIC's insights on violence prevention and peacebuilding. The findings shed light on the efficacy of local efforts, solid institutions, and targeted policies in bolstering safety across diverse regions.

Gallup's report underscores that the sense of safety is closely linked to local communities. Daniel Friedman, Program Director at CIC, remarked, "Understanding what inspires individuals to feel secure—and how policymakers can collaborate to nurture that sense of safety—is critical for crafting resilient and peaceful societies. It unequivocally demonstrates that positive changes are attainable."

About Gallup

Gallup is a leading analytics and advisory organization that assists leaders and organizations in resolving critical issues. With more than 80 years of experience, Gallup leverages its global influence to understand the attitudes and behaviors of populations worldwide effectively.

About NYU's Center on International Cooperation (CIC)

The Center on International Cooperation at NYU has established itself as a premier think tank for over two decades, focusing on applied policy that interconnects issues of politics, security, justice, development, and humanitarian needs.

This record-high safety perception offers glimmers of hope for communities worldwide, affirming that collaboration, trust, and proactive measures are vital components of constructing safer societies.