If you're thinking of going overseas -- especially if you're going solo -- one question likely sticks in your mind. What is the safest country for travelers?
The actuary website Insurly recently ranked the most and least dangerous destinations based on a number of factors: violence, transportation, health and natural disasters. So, who's the winner? If you're picturing chocolate and mountains... you're red hot.
Photo by Tim Trad on Unsplash Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Also one of the safest!
The Swiss For The Win
The winner is Switzerland!
It's easy to see why folks would want to visit: mountain vistas, winter sports, and a friendly, multi-lingual population. However, Switzerland doesn't crack the list of top 10 destinations in Europe, welcoming fewer than 20 million visitors a year.
More people might stop by if they knew about how safe it is. Overall, it scores 93.4/100 on safety.
Based on statistical analysis drawn from the World Health Organization, Insurly gives Switzerland the following ratings:
Violence: 91/100
Transportation safety: 98/100
Health: 92/100
Natural disasters: 90/100
Photo by Marco Meyer on Unsplash How could you say no to that view?
Why Don't More People Visit Switzerland?
Insurly offers a similar breakdown of all 180 countries in the world. If you're interested (or concerned about an upcoming trip), the bottom 5 are: South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Burundi, and Nigeria.
Finally, you may be wondering... If Switzerland is the safest country in the world for travelers, why isn't it a more popular tourist destination?
The most likely answer is cost. Switzerland is arguably the most expensive country to visit in the world. We're talking $15 for hamburgers at McDonald's and $250 "cheap" hotel options. Even by the expensive standards of Europe, Switzerland will take a toll on your pocketbook.
But if you're not afraid to pay for what you get, Switzerland is definitely a "safe" bet.
