Economics and security are closely connected. A strong economy and safe citizenry each enables the improvement of the other.
The World Economic Forum takes a nation’s security into account for its annual “Global Competitiveness Report,” focusing on the threats that organized crime, terrorism, homicide rates, and reliability of its police force can pose to a nation’s place in the global economy.
The US ranks as the 56th most secure country in the world, falling just short of China at 55.
Here are the top 20 safest countries in the world, according to the forum’s October 16, 2018, report:
20. Canada
Foto: Three moose roam near Peace River, British Columbia, Canada.sourcetuchodi/Flickr/Attribution license
19. Bahrain
Foto: Sakhir Palace, Bahrain during a recent visit by US Secretary of Defense Mattis.sourceLisa Ferdinando/DoD photo
18. Spain
Foto: Skyline of Zaragoza, Spain, in January 2015.sourceGregorio Puga Bailon/Flickr/Attribution license
17. The Netherlands
Foto: Known as the Venice of the Netherlands, Giethoorn is navigable only by canal.sourceScreenshot from YouTube.
16. Australia
Foto: Fireworks erupt over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2018.sourceBrett Hemmings/Getty
15. Qatar
Foto: A view of the mosque at dusk in Doha, Qatar.sourceChristof Koepsel/Getty
14. Estonia
Foto: View of the city's main gates in Tallinn, Estonia.sourceJordan Mansfield/Getty
13. Austria
Foto: Alpine dairy Alpe Albona in the Vorarlberg mountain range near Bludenz, Austria.sourceJohannes Simon/Getty
12. Portugal.
Foto: View of the city center from Sao Jorge castle in Lisbon, Portugal.sourceSean Gallup/Getty
11. Norway
Foto: View of the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, near Tromso, Norway.sourceDean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty
10. Japan
Foto: Participants in Heian period dress parade through Kyoto Imperial Palace during the Aoi festival in May 2018.sourceCarl Court/Getty
9. United Arab Emirates.
Foto: The sun sets behind skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.sourceChristopher Furlong/Getty
8. Hong Kong
Foto: The symphony of Lights laser show over Victoria Harbour on December 1, 2017. The show begins at 8 p.m. every night.sourceAnthony Kwan/Getty for Hong Kong Tourism Board
7. Luxembourg.
Foto: Luxembourg city.sourceHannelore Foerster/Getty
6. New Zealand.
Foto: Riders take in the scenery at Blue Mountain Station in Fairlie, New Zealand.sourceFiona Goodall/Getty
5. Switzerland
Foto: The 15th- and 16th-century houses in Rheinsprung Street, in Basel, Switzerland.sourceSean Gallup/Getty
4. Oman
Foto: A view of the skyline in Muscat, Oman.sourceChris Jackson/Getty
3. Iceland
Foto: A rainbow forms near Skogafoss waterfall in southern Iceland.sourceMaja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty
(Though we hear it's fresh out of beer)
2. Singapore
Foto: People watch as Supertree structures light up at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.sourceWong Maye E/Associated Press
The world's safest country: Finland
Foto: Visitors gather outside of Santa's office at Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi Finland.sourceTony Lewis/Getty
