By Our Correspondent
LAHORE– Pakistan has been ranked 65th in the World’s Safest Countries 2025 list, marking a significant improvement in global safety perception and placing the country ahead of regional rival India as well as major powers like the United States and the United Kingdom.
The ranking, released by the Numbeo Global Safety Index 2025, evaluates countries on factors such as crime rates, public safety, and citizens’ perceptions of security. According to the latest data, Pakistan scored 56.3 points, earning it the 65th spot out of nearly 150 nations surveyed.
Regional Comparison
Pakistan’s position is particularly notable in comparison to neighboring India, which landed at 66th place with a safety score of 55.7. Meanwhile, the United States ranked 89th (50.8), and the United Kingdom came in at 87th, underscoring growing security and law-and-order challenges in Western countries.
Security experts suggest that Pakistan’s ranking reflects an improvement in urban policing, counterterrorism operations, and public safety measures in recent years. However, they caution that systemic issues such as street crime, weak law enforcement in rural areas, and judicial delays continue to hold the country back from advancing further up the list.
Top Performers
At the global level, Andorra was declared the world’s safest country with a score of 84.7, thanks to its low crime rate and robust public security. It was closely followed by the United Arab Emirates (84.5), Qatar (84.2), Taiwan (82.9), and Oman (81.7). These countries have consistently invested in law enforcement, public surveillance systems, and social stability, giving them a major edge.
The findings also highlight the rising safety credentials of Gulf nations, particularly the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, which have become global travel and investment hubs.
Global Peace Index Tells a Different Story
While Numbeo’s rankings focus on citizen-reported perceptions of safety and crime, the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025—a separate and broader measure—painted a slightly different picture. According to GPI, Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful nation, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland.
Pakistan did not feature prominently in the top tiers of the Peace Index, signaling that while perceptions of day-to-day safety may be improving, broader challenges such as political instability, governance weaknesses, and internal conflicts remain.
Why Pakistan’s Ranking Matters
Analysts believe the 2025 safety ranking presents an opportunity for Pakistan to rebrand itself internationally. For years, global travel advisories have discouraged tourists and investors due to security concerns. Being rated safer than India, the United States, and the United Kingdom could help soften Pakistan’s global image.
“This ranking can be used as a strong narrative tool for Pakistan’s tourism and investment sectors,” said a Lahore-based security analyst. “However, the government needs to sustain this momentum with further reforms in policing, judicial efficiency, and crime prevention.”
Room for Improvement
Despite the improvement, Pakistan’s score still lags far behind the world’s safest nations. Experts point out that urban street crime in Karachi, political protests turning violent, and sporadic militant activity remain persistent issues. Without comprehensive legal reforms and investment in law-and-order infrastructure, Pakistan may struggle to break into the top 50 in the coming years.
Snapshot Table
Rank Country Score
1 Andorra 84.7
2 United Arab Emirates 84.5
3 Qatar 84.2
4 Taiwan 82.9
5 Oman 81.7
65 Pakistan 56.3
66 India 55.7
87 United Kingdom ~51
89 United States 50.8
The Bottom Line
Pakistan’s position in the World’s Safest Countries 2025 list offers a mixed picture. On the one hand, it reflects notable progress compared to past years and offers a reputational boost against India and Western nations. On the other, the country remains far from being considered among the safest or most peaceful globally.
For Pakistan, the challenge now is to translate statistical progress into sustainable security on the ground—something that could redefine its future as a destination for tourism, trade, and investment.
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