As the summer travel season approaches and schools break for holidays, families are on the lookout for safe vacation destinations. It’s advisable to consult various safety rankings and the latest Government of Canada travel advisories.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection recently released its ninth annual “State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations” report earlier this year. According to the report, Canada, Switzerland, and Norway are ranked as the top three safest countries for travelers in 2024.
The report bases its findings on survey data from September 2023, involving travelers who visited these countries, supplemented by third-party data evaluating risks such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health safety, and the protection of underrepresented groups.
The criteria for what makes a country safe have evolved over time—from being free of terrorism, to being safe from disease outbreaks, to being a place where individuals can move freely without facing discrimination or harassment.
Canada ranks first largely due to its cold climate and low population density. The top 15 safest countries listed in the report are:
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- France
- Spain
- Brazil
This year, Canada moved up from sixth to first place, displacing the 2023 leaders—Netherlands, Denmark, and Iceland—though they still remain in the top ten.
However, travelers should note that some listed countries, including Brazil, France, and Spain, currently have travel advisories issued by the Government of Canada.
Another resource, the Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, ranks countries based on societal safety and security, conflict levels, and militarization. In its 2023 edition, Canada placed eleventh. The top countries in this index are:
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Austria
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Canada
- Czechia
- Finland
- Croatia
- Germany
When planning travel, always check the latest advisories as conditions can change rapidly. Keep in mind that safety ratings are not predictive and do not factor in unforeseen natural events like wildfires.