http://www.valuepenguin.com/2015/07/safest-countries-world
5 Safest Countries
These countries have an average safety score of 47, 62% lower than their typical peer in the study. They scored some of the best rankings in the seven data categories we analyzed: population, CO2 emissions and life expectancy as well as the number, per 100,000 people, of national police personnel, traffic deaths, thefts and assaults.
1. Switzerland
Switzerland's standing as the world's safest (according to our data, anyway) is strengthened by this fact: It averaged just seven violent crimes per 100,000 people. The country, which is next-door neighbors with the similarly safe Italy (No. 6) and France (No. 7), requires its citizens to apply for health care coverage. Officially known as the Swiss Confederation, it's simply a safe place to be. And the word is out, as two million members of its population are foreigners, the justice ministry's migration secretariat reported in July.
2. Singapore
The most environmentally-friendly country among the top five -- it emitted 2.7 metric tons of CO2 in 2010, or 54% percent less than average -- Singapore is also known as the Republic of Singapore. The Southeast Asia island, just of the southern edge of Malaysia, has a "Department of Statistics," and its chief statistician enjoys legislative protection. The country may have also cracked the code on public housing.
3. Spain
Bested by Singapore in safety score by a .97 margin, Spain and its many different regions and city centers reported just 5.4 traffic deaths (61% less than its average peer) in 2010. The westernmost-country in the top five, Spain, it should be noted, raised its terror-alert level to "high" this summer. Andorra, its northern neighbor and the smallest nation in our study, ranked 98th in safety score.
4. Japan
The second island nation and the most populous country among the top five, Japan came in at No. 4, in part, because of its extremely high life expectancy. Like the Swiss, the Japanese live to an average age of 83. Only those residing in Hong Kong (a city that we included in our study because of its sheer size and available data) live longer, to 84. Japan is also "a cornerstone of U.S. security interests in Asia and is fundamental to to regional stability and prosperity," according to the U.S. Department of State's February fact sheet.
5. Cyprus
Rounding out our rankings for now (full list below), the Republic of Cyprus made it this high because it bested the aforementioned four cities in two categories: It ranked 21st overall in national police personnel per 100,000 people (with 466), and it ranked 22nd in thefts per 100,000 people (with 111). The number of cops in a country isn't necessarily linked to safety -- and we weighted it accordingly -- but having fewer thefts is a good sign regardless. The third island country among the top five, Cyprus had essentially been divided in two since 1974 but has been progressing toward reunification.
5 Safest Countries
These countries have an average safety score of 47, 62% lower than their typical peer in the study. They scored some of the best rankings in the seven data categories we analyzed: population, CO2 emissions and life expectancy as well as the number, per 100,000 people, of national police personnel, traffic deaths, thefts and assaults.
1. Switzerland
Switzerland's standing as the world's safest (according to our data, anyway) is strengthened by this fact: It averaged just seven violent crimes per 100,000 people. The country, which is next-door neighbors with the similarly safe Italy (No. 6) and France (No. 7), requires its citizens to apply for health care coverage. Officially known as the Swiss Confederation, it's simply a safe place to be. And the word is out, as two million members of its population are foreigners, the justice ministry's migration secretariat reported in July.
| Factor | Value |
| Population | 8,157,896 |
| Safety Score | 37 |
2. Singapore
The most environmentally-friendly country among the top five -- it emitted 2.7 metric tons of CO2 in 2010, or 54% percent less than average -- Singapore is also known as the Republic of Singapore. The Southeast Asia island, just of the southern edge of Malaysia, has a "Department of Statistics," and its chief statistician enjoys legislative protection. The country may have also cracked the code on public housing.
| Factor | Value |
| Population | 5,517,102 |
| Safety Score | 42 |
3. Spain
Bested by Singapore in safety score by a .97 margin, Spain and its many different regions and city centers reported just 5.4 traffic deaths (61% less than its average peer) in 2010. The westernmost-country in the top five, Spain, it should be noted, raised its terror-alert level to "high" this summer. Andorra, its northern neighbor and the smallest nation in our study, ranked 98th in safety score.
| Factor | Value |
| Population | 47,066,402 |
| Safety Score | 43 |
4. Japan
The second island nation and the most populous country among the top five, Japan came in at No. 4, in part, because of its extremely high life expectancy. Like the Swiss, the Japanese live to an average age of 83. Only those residing in Hong Kong (a city that we included in our study because of its sheer size and available data) live longer, to 84. Japan is also "a cornerstone of U.S. security interests in Asia and is fundamental to to regional stability and prosperity," according to the U.S. Department of State's February fact sheet.
| Factor | Value |
| Population | 126,999,808 |
| Safety Score | 51 |
5. Cyprus
Rounding out our rankings for now (full list below), the Republic of Cyprus made it this high because it bested the aforementioned four cities in two categories: It ranked 21st overall in national police personnel per 100,000 people (with 466), and it ranked 22nd in thefts per 100,000 people (with 111). The number of cops in a country isn't necessarily linked to safety -- and we weighted it accordingly -- but having fewer thefts is a good sign regardless. The third island country among the top five, Cyprus had essentially been divided in two since 1974 but has been progressing toward reunification.
| Factor | Value |
| Population | 1,153,058 |
| Safety Score | 63 |
