Australia has secured one of the top spots in the newly released World’s Safest Countries list, ranking second overall. The land Down Under earned a place on the podium, while one major nation — the United States — failed to make the list entirely.
With the holiday travel season approaching, travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection named the safest nations in the world for 2026, with the Netherlands claiming the No. 1 spot for tourist security. Despite declining crime rates across the country, the U.S. did not appear in the final ranking.
The study, however, was not intended as an anti-American critique. To compile the list, Berkshire Hathaway surveyed 1,800 American travellers, asking them to rank countries they visited based on safety. The company combined these responses with data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo, and other sources measuring factors such as terrorism, climate risks, healthcare, and safety for underrepresented groups.
These inputs were then merged with past results to calculate a weighted score that reflects each country’s overall safety, according to Travel + Leisure.
Interestingly, survey findings show that safety is no longer viewed solely as low crime. “We’re seeing a shift in how travelers define ‘safe,’” a Berkshire Hathaway spokesperson told Travel + Leisure. “People are also considering healthcare access, climate stability, and inclusivity.”
This perspective comes as a separate study revealed that many Americans feel anxious about international travel, with 16 percent concerned about personal injury or past experiences in unsafe destinations.
The Netherlands topped the 2026 rankings, climbing 13 places from 2024. Travellers praised the country’s health standards, overall safety, and inclusivity for women, LGBTQIA+ travellers, and people of colour. The biggest hazard noted was the speed of cyclists and e-bike riders in cities like Amsterdam.
Australia placed second, receiving the highest scores for health measures and ranking near the top for protection against terrorism — despite its reputation for hosting unusual wildlife. Austria followed in third place, entering the top rankings after previously being unlisted. Iceland, last year’s top nation, slipped to fourth due to concerns about volcanic activity that could disrupt travel routes.
Canada rounded out the top five, with no other North American country making the list. However, among households earning more than US$350,000 annually, the U.S. ranked seventh.
Top 15 Safest Countries in the World (2026):
1.Netherlands
2.Australia
3.Austria
4.Iceland
5.Canada
6.New Zealand
7.United Arab Emirates
8.Switzerland
9.Japan
10.Ireland
11.Belgium
12.Portugal
13.France
14.United Kingdom
15.Denmark
