Which Country Was the Safest in the World in 2017?

According to a study by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Iceland was the safest country in the world in 2017, with the lowest Global Peace Index (GPI) score of 1.111. This position remained unchanged from the previous year. New Zealand ranked second with a GPI score of 1.241, and Portugal was third with a GPI score of 1.258. A lower GPI indicates a higher level of safety and security in a country.

Europe dominated the list of the world's safest countries. Eight of the top ten safest countries were from Europe, with one from the Americas and one from Australia. Overall, the 163 surveyed countries experienced a 0.28 percent improvement. 93 countries experienced an improvement in security, while 68 countries experienced a decline.

The Institute for Economics and Peace is a non-profit international organization that conducts surveys on economic conditions and security levels in countries. In its 11th study, the IEP surveyed 163 countries, representing approximately 99.7 percent of the world's total population. This survey used 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three thematic areas: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization.