Can you guess which dangerous countries will show up on our list?
Countries worldwide have expanded and improved thanks to urbanization over the years. But sadly, some have severe safety and security issues despite having much to offer culturally or economically.
These include a threat posed to travelers by political violence, including terrorism, war, social unrest, and violent and petty crime. Other factors we considered were:
- The capability of security and emergency services.
- Transport infrastructure.
- The threat of natural disasters.
Interestingly, the safest places were all in Europe, with Norway coming out on top. Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, and Luxembourg followed close behind. So, which are the 7 most dangerous countries in the world? Continue reading to find out!
Ukraine
According to experts, Ukraine had at least 82,200 conflict-related deaths in the past year, even though the actual number is likely to be way higher.
This dangerous country had the most significant deterioration in peacefulness of any country in IEP’s 2023 report, joining the list of the top 10 most dangerous countries for the first time.
Due to the ongoing conflict, 30% of this country’s population is estimated to be displaced.
Iraq
Even though it remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world, according to the US State Department, terrorist and insurgent groups attack Iraqi security forces and civilians regularly, and attacks using improvised explosive devices occur in many areas of this dangerous country, including Baghdad.
According to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation report, fewer than a third of its citizens rate the government favorably for providing safe food, water, and reliable electricity.
Russia
On February 24th, 2022, Ukraine was invaded by Russia in what would become the most significant European war since the Balkan wars of the 90s.
According to the IEP, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impacts were the main drivers of global deterioration in peacefulness in 2022, bringing the nation to its lowest peacefulness score since 2008.
Sudan
In April 2023, conflict broke out between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. According to the United Nations, civil war in Sudan has caused over a million people to vacate, with millions more displaced within Sudan.
Internal conflict has led to food shortages and a 50% increase in reports of assault, according to the UN. Even before the civil unrest, conflict was looming in Sudan, which lost 39.7% of its GDP because of violence in 2022.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Thousands of people living near the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern border with Uganda escaped from their homes after suspected rebels attacked army positions.
Congo is one of the most dangerous countries in the world partly because of deteriorating relations in 2020 with neighboring Zambia over debated territory, leading to border altercations between the two countries’ military forces, according to IEP’s report.
The violence cost Congo 13% of its gross domestic product in 2022.
As of July 31st, 2023, the US State Department ranks Congo as a “reconsider travel” country, noting that violent crime, like armed home invasion, armed robbery, and assault, is common, and local police lack the resources to react effectively to serious crime.
Assailants may even pose as police or security agents.
Somalia
5 people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in a car bombing near Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in November 2021. Car bombings are a regular occurrence in this troubled country.
It’s where 18 US Special Forces personnel were killed in a bloody conflict with a Somali warlord’s forces in 1993, which inspired Mark Bowden’s book Black Hawk Down and the movie that followed. You can see it here!
And unfortunately, over a quarter-century later, Somalia’s still a violent place. As of July 31st, 2023, the US State Department ranked Somalia as a “do not travel” country, noting that murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes are standard.
Terrorists continue to target government buildings, airports, hotels, shopping areas, and everywhere else, where people gather with attacks by mortars, car bombs, and suicide bombers.
The African nation has seen 20% of its people displaced due to an ongoing battle between government forces and al-Shabab, a militant group. According to IEP’s report, the violence cost the nation 35.4% of its economic output in recent years.
Syria
In the decades-long Syrian battle, as many as 5.5 million Syrians have become refugees, including children at a refugee camp in Zaatari, Jordan. This Middle Eastern country has enhanced political stability because President Bashar al-Assad has solidified his hold on power.
Even so, the decade-long civil war has formed a humanitarian crisis, and the IEP believes Syria to be the 3rd most dangerous country worldwide.
The United Nations Refugee Agency calculates that 5.5 million people, many of which children, have fled Syria since the battle started, in what has become the world’s biggest refugee crisis in decades. According to IEP, 61% of Syria’s inhabitants are displaced.
What are you thoughts on this matter? Be sure to tell us in the comments section below. Meanwhile, Devastating Disasters has much more news to offer. For instance, we also recommend reading: 5 Modern-Day Slavery Locations You Didn’t Know About
