This Country Has Just Been Voted The Safest In The World For The 11th Time

Every year, an Australian company looks at a variety of data to determine the safest and most dangerous countries out of 163 independent states. The factors that take part in the data crunching include crime rates, terrorist attacks, murder rates, weapons exchange, incarceration rates, corruption, and government function. In 2018, it has been revealed Iceland has topped this list for the 11th year in a row.

There are a few prominent reasons why this should come as no surprise. The tiny Nordic nation of 340,000 with an equally tiny crime rate has just 1.8 murders per 100,000 people per year. Another reason is that Iceland has no military; its skies are monitored by a rotation of guest militaries each year. This, all in all, makes the chances of war very low. The Icelandic police are also unarmed and had only just begun to carry guns in their vehicles.

This year, Iceland was not the only country from Europe on the top 10 list. Austria came in at third place, Portugal in fourth place, and Denmark in fifth place. While a small population might make you assume that it’s the biggest reason for Iceland’s safety, there are certainly more factors.

While Iceland’s violent crime rate is low compared to other countries, it is on a per capita basis, meaning individuals are three times more likely to be a victim in the US than in Iceland. Another factor one might not assume as playing a big role in safety is the lack of a class system, creating a greater sense of equality and equanimity amongst the population. Most Icelanders consider themselves middle class. You will notice firsthand when you visit Iceland how this ranking of safest country in the world carries itself out with the Icelandic custom of leaving babies sleeping outside in prams on the street, as well as the freedom given to children in general.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.