The small European nation of Andorra has been named the safest country in the world by Numbeo, the world's largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. This is an image of the nation’s capital city Andorra la Vella and Escaldes Engordany view at twilight. Photo: istock

The principality, which was formed by a charter in 1278, is the sixth-smallest state in Europe at just 468 square kilometres and a population of under 80,000. In fact, it’s the 16th smallest country by land and the 11th smallest by population in the world. Photo: Google Maps

Nestled in the Pyrenees mountains, the landlocked country is surrounded by France to the north and Spain to the south. The country has two heads of state – the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain, and the president of France. A snowboarder sitting on the edge of the mountain in the Canillo ski region. Photo: istock

The list which takes into account indicators for housing, health, traffic, crime, cost of living and pollution in determining safety, found Andorra had a safety rating of 84.7 (out of 100). Crowds in Andorra la Vella at Christmas. Photo: istock

Andorra doesn’t have armed forces, but does have a small ceremonial army, relying on France and Spain for its defence. Photo: istock

Andorra is also predominantly made up of mountain ranges and the average elevation of the country is 1,996m. Its capital city, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe at 1,023m. Photo: istock

The country makes most of its GDP – approximately 80 per cent – from tourism. An estimated 8 million tourists a year visit the country. One of the main sources of tourism in the country is ski resorts, which brings in around seven million of the tourists every year. istock. Photo: istock

Andorra is also a tax haven and one of the richest nations in the world per capita. Andorra is ranked as the 14th richest nation per capita in the world with a GDP adjusted for cost of living of $71,731 per person. For the record, this ranks two places higher than Australia ($70,340). Photo: istock

#2 – United Arab Emirates: Right behind Andorra is the UAE with a safety score of 84.5, just 0.2 shy of Andorra. The Persian Gulf nation is home to over 11m people. Photo: istock

The UAE’s safety comes from its strict laws and enforcement. The nation is known for having some of the strictest laws in the world, which are enforced without exception. With the knowledge that law enforcement will crack down hard, the threat of consequences, including fines for acts such as littering, act as a strong deterrent. Photo: istock

#3 – Qatar: The host of the 2022 World Cup is seen as a safe nation as it has a low crime rate. Its safety rating is 84.2, just 0.3 behind the UAE. Photo: istock

Australia’s Smart Traveller website reports pickpocketing, bag snatching and other petty crimes are rare but can happen. Similarly with bank and credit card fraud. Photo: istock

#4 – Taiwan: The country’s safety index is slightly further back than Qatar at 82.9. Although there are semi-regular natural disasters including typhoons and flooding, and the ominous threat of China hanging over the nation, it’s largely considered one of the safest places in the world to visit. Photo: istock

In 2020, Taiwan was the second safest country in the world, with low crime rates and residents indicating they felt safe walking alone at night. However, Smart Traveller flags that “extortion scams occur”, particularly mentioning minor car accidents and sexual assault at nightclubs, as well as protests that can turn violent. Photo: istock

#5 – Oman: In probably the most surprising entry into the top five, Oman is ranked fifth with a safety rating of 81.7. Bordering the UAE and Saudi Arabia, it also shares a border with Yemen. Yemen has a “Do not travel” warning from Smart Traveller, due to a “very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism”. Photo: istock

But while there are warnings in border regions along the Yemen border, Oman is considered to have a low crime rate. While there is a warning for burglaries and theft in crowded places and from vehicles and women and travellers camping in remote areas have specific warnings particularly at night, the country is considered to be one of the safest places in the world. Photo: istock

#6 – Isle of Man: The Isle of Man is the safest place in the British Isles, rating at 79.0 on the safety index. It has often been recognised for that fact, with crime levels some 40 per cent lower than England and Wales – and dropping. Photo: istock

The majority of crimes are burglary, vehicle theft, and vandalism rather than violent crimes. A high percentage of the locals also feel safe in their homes. Photo: istock

#7 – Hong Kong: The city is considered a safe city, falling just behind the Isle of Man with a safety index of 78.5. While pick pocketing and purse snatching can occur, Hong Kong is known for its low crime rate with violent crime low. Photo: istock

When it has been dangerous is during protests against the Chinese government, who have cracked down on the city’s freedoms in recent years, sparking the fight back from the citizens. Photo: istock

#8 – Armenia: Smart Traveller says Armenia is safe to travel to with a 77.9 safety index score – with the expectation of the 5km border region with Azerbaijan, where there is a higher risk of armed conflict and unmarked landmines. Photo: istock

However, crime rates are considered low. Although terrorism has been warned by the governments like Australia, the US and the UK, there haven’t been any recent terrorism acts in the country. Photo: istock

#9 – Singapore: One of the cleanest cities in the world, Singapore is also one of the safest with a safety index of 77.4. Photo: istock

Smart Traveller says violent crime is rate, but petty crimes at the airport, in tourist areas and on public transport are warned, as well as scam calls and phishing attempts. Photo: istock

#10 – Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun has a 77.1 safety index score and is another that is considered safe with a low violent crime rate and some warnings about petty theft (what country doesn’t have to deal with that?). Photo: istock

Smart traveller has some warnings about risk of crime in bars and nightclubs including overcharging, credit card fraud, drink spiking and assault. People crossing the famous Shibuya crossing in Tokyo at night. Photo: istock

While there are 147 nations ranked on the Numbeo list, there were several more that raised a few eyebrows – particularly Australia (SPOILERS: #82!). Just note, the list is based on reported crime and can be skewed by differences in crime reporting, data manipulation by governments and limited data. Photo: istock

#15 – China: China is considered largely safe but Smart Traveller has the country rated a “exercise a high degree of caution”. The site warns that some foreign nationals have been detained for “endangering national security”, warning of petty crime that can escalate into violence and scams. China is definitely a country you want to research before you travel to. Photo: istock

#34 – Israel: This one raised a few eyebrows as well considering Israel is still in conflict with the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has a 68.2 safety index score. While the homicide rate is generally low, property crimes are the most significant portion of crime in the country. But the conflict in the region is the main concern with “Do not travel” warnings with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon and the West Bank. Photo: istock

#64 – Iraq: Smart Traveller has a “Do not travel” warning for Iraq, citing a volatile security situation with threat of kidnappings and terrorist attacks. And yet, it has a 56.9 rating, equal with the Philippines. There are also warnings for foreign nationals. And violent crime, including kidnapping, murder and robbery, is common. And it’s interesting that it bizarrely sits 18 places above Australia! Photo: istock

#65 – Pakistan: Similar to Iraq, Pakistan has plenty of warnings regarding terrorism, kidnappings and has a “Do not travel” warning for half the nation bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Photo: istock

#66 – India: And yet Pakistan sits one place higher than India. While India has a “high degree of caution” warning on Smart Traveller, warnings for robberies and assault, as well as drink spiking and food has been warned. Petty theft is also a consideration, while women face higher levels of verbal or physical harassment or sexual assault. It’s considered a “moderate” crime rate with a safety index score of 55.7. Photo: istock

#80 – Ukraine: Despite being at war with Russia, Ukraine is considered safer than Australia. Smart Traveller has rated Ukraine a “Do not travel” with good reason. That being said, Ukraine’s murder rate is lower than the global average and theft is the main crime segment. Photo: istock

#82 – Australia: Finally, Australia comes in at number 82 with a safety index score of 52.7, which is still moderate. The UK government considers Australia a high terrorism risk – the government’s current national terrorism threat level is probable. Photo: istock

What makes this ranking even more bizarre is that Australia was ranked the second safest country in the world by an annual study from travel insurance company Berkshire Hathaway. Adelaide and Canberra are considered the safest cities in Australia. Photo: istock

The River Torrens in Adelaide, one of Australia's safest capital cities. Photo: istock

#86 – New Zealand: Our trans-Tasman neighbours come four spots behind us with a safety index score of 51.8. Smart Traveller says crime rates are similar to those in Australia with a relatively low crime rate. Photo: istock

#87 – United Kingdom: Smart Traveller has given the UK an “exercise a high degree of caution” warning due to the threat of terrorism, with the UK government’s terror threat level “substantial”. Crimes such as passport theft, pickpocketing, phone and bag snatching and muggings are considered common. Photo: istock

#88 – United States: Right on the UK’s tail is the US, with a safety index score of 50.8. While it’s got an “exercise normal safety precautions” advice from Smart Traveller, there are also warnings of violent crime, gun crime and the “persistent threat of mass casualty and terrorist attacks in the United States”. Photo: istock

#100 – Algeria: The African nation is mostly an “exercise a high degree of caution” with the exception of the 450km around the borders with Mali and Niger. Terrorist attack risk is high, kidnapping is also high, and there’s also risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning. Photo: istock

#110 – France: The nation is under its highest level warning for terrorism, while the country has a 44.6 safety index score. Smart traveller also has warning for violent robberies, muggings and assaults, including sexual assault as well as drink spiking. Theft is also considered common. Photo: istock

#132 – Brazil: Smart Traveller has Brazil under a “high degree of caution” with warnings about going out at night, with violent crime, including mugging, armed robbery and carjacking is common. Photo: istock

#143 – South Africa: This is a top five you don’t want to be in. South Africa is considered the fifth least safe nation on the Numbeo list. With a safety index score of 25.3, which is considered low, almost very low, Australia still has a high degree of caution warning for the country. Murder, rape, assault, food and drink spiking, robbery and carjacking are also considered serious issues in the country. Photo: istock

#144 – Afghanistan: Unsurprisingly, Afghanistan is considered a “Do not travel” with a safety index score of 24.9. Now under the rule of the Taliban, there’s threats of terrorist attacks, kidnapping, and arbitrary detention of foreign nationals including aid and humanitarian workers are huge concerns. Photo: istock

#145 – Haiti: Another “Do not travel”, Haiti is under a countrywide state of emergency due to its high levels of gang violence. Violent crime including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, assault, sexual assault and carjacking are high in the country. Photo: istock

#146 – Papua New Guinea: With a score of 19.7, Papua New Guinea is one of two nations with very low ratings on the Numbeo list in relation to safety. Despite that, Smart Traveller has the nation as an “exercise a high degree of caution”. Warnings include civil disorder, rioting and looting, kidnapping, violent crime and sexual assault. Photo: istock

#147 – Venezuela: The political and economic situation in Venezuela make it a “Do not travel”. With food, water, medicine and petrol shortages, there is a strong threat of violent crime and risk of arbitrary detention. Common violent crime includes murder, armed robbery, drive-by shootings, sexual assault and carjackings. Photo: istock