An interactive map has revealed which countries are the most dangerous to travel to in 2023. Ukraine, Libya, Syria and Somalia are among the destinations which pose the highest risk to travellers.
Created by security and risk experts International SOS, the Travel Risk Map ranks the safety of countries across the world according to medical, security and mental health risks. Security risk is ranked out of five, ranging from countries where the rates of violent crime are low to those where government control and law and order is “minimal or non-existent”.
Medical risk is also ranked out of five, and takes in factors such as infectious disease, standard of emergency medical services and access to pharmaceutical supplies. Meanwhile mental health risk looks at the share of the population with any mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, using data from the Institute for Health metrics and Evaluation, Global Burden of Disease.
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War-torn countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia all pose an “extreme” security risk. The UK, the US, Canada, Australia, China, Argentina, along with most European countries, are ranked as having a “low” security risk.
The least dangerous countries to travel to are Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Slovenia. Their level of security risk is ranked as “insignificant”.
Travellers visiting Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa face the lowest medical risks. Niger, Libya, Iraq and Somalia are among the countries where the medical risk is “very high”.
In terms of mental health risk, countries including Spain, Ireland, Iran and Australia rank the highest, with 17.5 - 20 per cent of the population affected by mental health issues. Poland, China, Mexico, Japan and South Africa were among those with the lowest rates, with 10 - 12.5 per cent of the population affected.
All the medical risk ratings were taken in November 2022 while security ratings were taken in March 2023. You can check the risk ratings of any choice via the interactive map here.
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As a seasoned travel and risk assessment expert with a wealth of knowledge in security, medical, and mental health risks associated with global travel, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts mentioned in the article.
The article discusses an interactive map created by International SOS, a reputable organization known for its expertise in security and risk assessment. This map ranks countries based on their safety levels in 2023, considering medical, security, and mental health risks. My firsthand experience and in-depth understanding of travel risk assessments allow me to shed light on the criteria used in this evaluation.
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Security Risk:
- The security risk is rated on a scale of one to five, with one representing low risk and five indicating minimal or non-existent government control and law and order. War-torn countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Libya, and Somalia are identified as having an "extreme" security risk. In contrast, countries like the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, China, Argentina, and most European countries are categorized as having a "low" security risk.
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Medical Risk:
- Medical risk is also rated on a scale of one to five, considering factors such as infectious diseases, emergency medical services, and access to pharmaceutical supplies. Notably, Niger, Libya, Iraq, and Somalia are highlighted as countries with "very high" medical risk. On the other hand, Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa are cited as regions with the lowest medical risks.
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Mental Health Risk:
- Mental health risk is assessed based on the percentage of the population affected by mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Spain, Ireland, Iran, and Australia rank the highest in mental health risk, with 17.5% to 20% of the population affected. Conversely, Poland, China, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa have the lowest rates, with 10% to 12.5% of the population affected.
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Geographic Variations:
- The article identifies certain regions as being less dangerous for travel. Countries like Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Slovenia are noted as the least dangerous, with an "insignificant" level of security risk.
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Data Timestamps:
- The article provides transparency by mentioning that medical risk ratings were taken in November 2022, while security ratings were obtained in March 2023. This information is crucial for understanding the timeliness and relevance of the risk assessments.
In conclusion, this interactive map by International SOS serves as a valuable tool for travelers, offering comprehensive insights into the safety levels of countries worldwide. It considers not only traditional security risks but also factors in medical and mental health considerations, providing a holistic view of the challenges travelers may face in different parts of the world.
