With 2025 closing in, travellers are increasingly thinking of where to head for adventure and relaxing. With safety a priority, where is the best place to take a break? Fortunately, the Risk Map 2025 has been revealed.
Risk Map 2025 outlines the countries and cities where travellers are most likely to face security threats. Based on the potential for social unrest, violent and petty crimes, the map has been drawn by the experts from Safeture and Riskline.
The map has risk levels: low, moderate, medium, high, and extreme risk. The level is based on numerous factors, including crime, security, health and environmental risks, and medical care.
The bad news
Security in 77 countries has deteriorated. Libya, Myanmar, and Burkina Faso have been added to the list of the most dangerous countries. They join Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Libya, among the most dangerous countries on earth to visit in 2025.
Countries with an 'extreme' security risk include Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Sudan and Somalia, which remain high-risk zones to travel to. Other least safe countries include the Central African Republic and Niger.
Travellers need to find out not only about security risks but also about local medical care. The health infrastructure is particularly poor in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Haiti, Myanmar, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen.
The medical facilities in these countries are inadequate, and access to basic medicines and emergency care is severely restricted. Diseases easily treatable in other parts of the world can become a real threat.
Those considering journeying may want to think twice about some countries. The map identified Afghanistan, Haiti, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen for difficulty of travel.
The map has also zeroed in on the least safest cities to venture. These include Banjul, Central African Republic; Beirut, Lebanon; Gaza City, Palestine; Karachi, Pakistan; Khartoum, Sudan; Mogadishu, Somalia; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Sana'a, Yemen, and Yangon in Myanmar.
Medium risk
One of the most popular destinations for travellers worldwide has surprisingly been registered as 'medium risk' for 2025 when it has always been regarded extremely safe. Maldives has seen increasing political instability, combined with an increase in social tensions and religious extremism, which contributed to their changed score. Increasing challenges of climate change, such as flooding and coastal erosion, have exacerbated the situation.
Moderate risk
Europe has always been regarded as a bastion of stability and safety. However, there are now increased risks. Countries such as the UK, France, Spain and Sweden are now classed as moderate risk'. These are alongside the likes of Poland, the Netherlands, and Italy. Key factors include rising political unrest, public demonstrations, and environmental challenges such as storms and flooding.
Bright spots
However, there is good news. In many European countries, the risks of travelling are still classified as extremely low. Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Finland, Iceland and Norway top the list of particularly safe countries to travel to.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan are considered the perfect destinations for a carefree and relaxed trip. The security situation has also improved - Argentina, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China, Morocco, and Cuba are all considered 'Moderate' risk.
If you are planning a trip to a big city, some are considered particularly suitable: Bern is the safest in the world, followed by Doha, Melbourne, Montreal, Muscat, Ottawa, and the South Korean capital Seoul, as well as Singapore, The Hague, in The Netherlands, and Tokyo, Japan.
However, given that martial law was declared in recent days in Seoul the risk element may change as a result.
The Map
The World Risk Map was developed by Safeture, a leading technical platform for the professional management of risks when travelling, and the safety experts from Riskline, who analyze travel risks worldwide. The map is updated on an ongoing basis.
Andy Probert is an independent PR writer and journalist who writes about travel experiences, airlines, airports, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror, as well as many newspapers/magazines globally.
