Why People Feel Safer as the World Gets More Dangerous
Key Summary By 2024, 73% of people worldwide will report feeling safe walking at night (the highest ever). Even in the midst of the greatest conflict since World War II, safety awareness is actually rising. The gap between countries is stark: Singapore 98% vs. South Africa 33%. The paradox that the gender safety gap widens in high-income countries Regional integrated safety policies have proven to be effective. In an age of increasing warfare, a paradoxical phenomenon is emerging. According to Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report, by 2024, 73% of adults worldwide will feel safe walking alone at night. This represents the highest level since Gallup began its survey in 2006. The paradox of increased conflict and increased safety awareness The world is currently experiencing the most armed conflict since World War II. The war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Gaza Strip, instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and violent extremism in the Sahel are all headlines. But why do people feel safer? The answer lies in "local security." Even in times of conflict, people build security through trustworthy neighbors, dependable institutions, and habits that safeguard their daily lives. This figure, a 3 percentage point increase compared to 2023, is a phenomenon observed simultaneously across Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Safety maps of extremes Singapore is the safest place in the world. Ninety-eight percent of residents said it was safe to walk at night, and the gender gap was only 1 percentage point. As evidenced by its 12th consecutive world ranking, Singapore boasts a consistently high level of safety. The top rankings are largely dominated by the Gulf region. Five of the top ten countries are GCC members: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Centralized governance, strong public order, and continued investment in urban safety infrastructure are proving effective. Korea recorded a relatively high level in the Asian region at 80%. At the other end of the scale is South Africa (33%). It's notable that four of the bottom ten countries are neighbors of South Africa. Despite not being at war, these countries face high violent crime rates, limited police capacity, and economic inequality, significantly reducing their perception of safety. The wealthier the country, the greater the gender safety gap. Despite overall improvements, gender gaps persist. 67% of women said they felt safe, compared to 78% of men. A gap of more than 10 percentage points was observed in 104 of the 144 countries surveyed. Interestingly, the countries with the largest gender gaps are mostly high-income countries: Malaysia (43 percentage points), New Zealand (35 percentage points), Italy (32 percentage points), and the United States (26 percentage points). Only 44% of Italian women reported feeling safe, the same as Ugandan women (44%). In contrast, 76% of Italian men reported feeling safe, similar to German men (78%). This demonstrates that economic development alone is limited in improving women's perceptions of safety. What actually makes safety possible Gallup's Law and Order Index reveals a correlation between perceived safety and actual security conditions. Tajikistan (97 points) scored the highest, while Liberia (49 points) ranked last. In Liberia, 49% of respondents reported being victims of theft and 43% reported being victims of assault.
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