The top 10 most dangerous countries have been revealed, with Africa and Asia dominating the no-go list.
A combination of violent conflict, political terror, resource-driven corruption, murder rate and public health crises creates an environment of extreme danger, contributing to the dangerous nature of the nations on this list.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) report has evaluated 163 countries on their differing levels of safety, accounting for more than 99.7% of the world’s total population.
Countries are analysed on 23 indicators, including internal conflicts, societal safety, and levels of militarisation, providing a comprehensive assessment of global peace and security.
In the 2023 GPI, global peace deteriorated by 0.42%, with 84 countries becoming safer and 79 less so, marking the thirteenth decline in fifteen years.
Coming first on the list with a score of 3.397 is Yemen, which may not surprise many. Since the start of its civil conflict in 2015, the country has descended into turmoil; the UN says Yemen is experiencing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
It says 4.5 million people, one in seven of the population, have been displaced. The suffering of the Yemeni people is unimaginable, with 80% of the population in need of humanitarian aid and protection.
Continuing to be one of the most dangerous countries worldwide thanks to persistent conflicts is Sudan, which comes in second place.
Violence has ravaged Sudan since fighting broke out in April 2023.
Earlier this week, the SNP’s First Minister, John Swinney, pledged to send £375k in taxpayer cash to Sudan.
Delivered through Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), the donations will enable charity partners Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief to deliver assistance in Sudan, South Sudan and neighbouring Chad.
Afghanistan, with a 2024 GPI score of 3.294, continues to be one of the most dangerous countries worldwide, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises Brits not travel to Afghanistan as the security situation is volatile and there is heightened risk of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is under Taliban control, and several other armed Islamist groups are active in the country.
After over a decade of conflict and insecurity, the situation in Syria continues to be extremely volatile and dangerous.
Approximately 6.6 million Syrians are believed to be internally displaced, and no parts of the country are safe from terrorist groups.
Rounding up the top 10 with a score of 3,095 is Mali; the desert here is mainly ungoverned, and several terrorist groups have carried out attacks.
Top 10 most dangerous countries in the world
- Yemen
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Afghanistan
- Ukraine
- DR Congo
- Russia
- Syria
- Israel
- Mali
