The world’s 9 most dangerous countries revealed including tourist hotspot loved by Brits | World | News
The world’s most dangerous countries have been revealed in a brand new list declaring how peaceful – or war-torn – countries are. The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual report produced by the Australia-based Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).
The report uses 23 indicators across three domains – Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation to give countries a score between 1 and 5, with the lower the score, the more peaceful or safer a country is.
Most of the countries that lack peace typically suffer from ongoing conflict and security issues that make it not only dangerous for travellers but also the civilians, with millions of innocent people being killed or displaced from their homes. Out of the 163 independent states and territories, one nation that was once loved by travellers across the world, including Brits, has made it among the nine most dangerous countries in the world.
Israel ranks as the ninth most dangerous country according to this year’s Global Peace Index. The country, which is considered the ‘Holy Land’ to Jews and Christians, was once a popular destination for Brits and other travellers around the world who visited the nation for pilgrimage tours.
However, Israel currently has a score of 3.108, which can be attributed to the current war that is taking place between the nation and Hamas.
The conflict has been noted to have impacted the entire Middle East region.
The report notes: “The most notable falls in peacefulness in the region [Middle East] occurred because of the war in Gaza that erupted after the Hamas attack in Israel on 7 October 2023.
“Latest estimates suggest that over 63,750 people have been killed in this conflict, although some estimates suggest that the death toll is likely to be far higher.
“The conflict has also thrown the entire region into crisis, with Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Yemen all becoming involved to varying degrees.”
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South Sudan has a score of 3.117 and has moved up two spots in the Global Peace Index ranking, previously being the sixth most dangerous country in the world.
Ongoing conflict and violence are among the main reasons the country ranks low in the overall ranking. The African country experienced a civil war between 2013 and 2020, which saw the killing of thousands of people.
However, tensions across the nation remain today. Conflict between rival leaders has resulted in 300,000 citizens fleeing the country this year alone, contributing to the already more than 2.5 million South Sudanese people displaced in neighbouring countries.
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Similar to South Sudan, Syria also remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries as a result of ongoing conflict and governmental instability.
The Middle Eastern country, which has a score of 3.184, suffered for many years under the Assad regime, committing numerous human rights violations and war crimes.
While the regime, since December 2024, has collapsed, Syria remains unsafe due to terrorist attacks, kidnappings and unstable security, with some areas, including North-east Syria and Suwayda, being controlled by local armed groups rather than being under the control of the Syrian Government.
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Afghanistan has moved up in the ranking, with a score of 3.229. Despite this, the country remains extremely dangerous, especially to foreign nationals, due to ongoing terrorist attacks, armed conflict and crime, and kidnappings.
Additionally, the Taliban Government enforces a strict Sharia Law, where impiety can lead to severe penalties, including public lashings or the death penalty.
The report wrote: “Although the level of conflict in Afghanistan has fallen since the Taliban came to power, poor governance and humanitarian crises are fuelling political unrest.
“In March 2025, the World Health Organisation in Afghanistan warned that funding shortages may cause 80% of the agency’s health services there to close by June, exacerbating the health crisis already present in the country.”
Governments worldwide have issued the highest levels of travel warnings for the country, and there are no operational embassies from any EU member states, the UK, or the US in Kabul, the capital. This means that on-site emergency assistance for citizens who travel there against advice is not possible.
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Yemen has also moved up the ranking and it remains a country that is advised people do not travel to. While ongoing conflict, economic security, and a dangerous security situation make Yemen one of the most threatening destinations in the world, another thing makes it even more worrying.
Landmines and explosive remnants of war scattered across the nation continue to take the lives of many.
The nation, which has a score of 3.262, is also suffering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, where widespread malnutrition and recurring epidemic crises continue to harm the lives of citizens.
It is reported that 19.5 million, more than half of Yemen’s entire population, need humanitarian assistance, and that it suffers from the highest malnutrition rates in its history.
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