Women’s safety is not just a fundamental human right; it is the foundation upon which all other freedoms rest. Yet, even in 2025, this right is denied to far too many. My work has focused on analysing gender-based safety metrics, advising frontline support organisations, and guiding women, whether solo travellers or those considering relocation, through the realities of risk and protection. My mission is clear: to equip women with the knowledge they need to make informed, confident choices. When we understand where safety and gender equity are most robust, we can move beyond guesswork and empower women to take control of their own security, whether that means planning a journey, moving abroad, or forging a new direction in life.
But what does it truly mean for a country to be safe for women in the modern world? Which nations are not just claiming progress, but actually setting the global standard?
To answer these questions, we must move beyond anecdote and intuition. Only structured, data-driven analysis can reveal where women are genuinely safe. The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index, developed by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in partnership with the Peace Research Institute Oslo, stands out as one of the most comprehensive and reliable tools available today.
Understanding the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index: Measuring More Than Just Crime
The true strength of this index lies in its ability to move beyond surface-level crime statistics and examine the deeper, structural foundations of gender equality. It assesses not only the presence of violence, but also the laws, access to resources, cultural expectations, and institutional safeguards that determine whether women can live freely and safely. The WPS Index evaluates 177 countries on women’s inclusion, justice, and security, using 13 distinct and highly specific indicators. Each country receives a score between 0 and 1, with higher scores representing better conditions for women. Thos focus is primarily on the following:
- Security: Intimate partner violence, acts of physical and sexual violence, femicides, community safety, political violence, and proximity to armed conflict
- Justice: Legal discrimination, access to justice, maternal mortality
- Inclusion: Education, financial access, mobile phone usage, professional and employment opportunities, political representation
As Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, emphasises:
“Women’s inclusion, justice, and security are vital in building resilient, peaceful, and sustainable societies and thus matter for everyone.”
In practical terms, investing in women’s rights is not only a moral imperative; it is a proven strategy for building stronger, more resilient societies.
The Top 10 Safest Countries for Women (WPS 2023/24)
According to the most recent WPS Index, the ten highest-scoring countries in terms of women’s safety are:
- Denmark (Score: 0.932)
- Switzerland (0.928)
- Sweden (0.926)
- Finland (0.924)
- Luxembourg (0.924)
- Iceland (0.924)
- Norway (0.920)
- Austria (0.911)
- Netherlands (0.908)
- New Zealand (0.904)
Why These Countries Are Safe: Beyond the Numbers
To understand why these countries consistently lead in women’s safety, we must examine the specific factors that set them apart. These elements not only benefit solo female travellers, but also professionals and migrants seeking security and opportunity.
Progressive legal frameworks
A nation’s legal framework is one of the most decisive factors in women’s safety. The highest-ranking countries enforce robust anti-discrimination laws, mandate equal pay, and implement targeted policies to increase women’s participation in politics and leadership. These legal protections are not symbolic; they empower women to actively shape the social and economic trajectory of their societies.
Sweden, for instance, enforces the Discrimination Act, which requires employers to actively prevent gender bias. In the Netherlands, the government implements UN Resolution 1325, promoting women’s political involvement and protection from violence.
Such laws form the bedrock of daily freedoms. They make it possible for women to work without harassment, access justice when wronged, and move through public spaces without fear.
Low levels of violence
These countries consistently report some of the lowest rates of violence against women, particularly in public spaces. Iceland and Norway, for example, maintain well-lit streets, highly trusted law enforcement, and reliable public transportation. In Denmark, women routinely describe feeling secure when using public transit or walking alone, even after dark.
Additionally, countries like Switzerland and Finland have zero-tolerance policies for domestic violence, backed by shelters, hotlines, and legal aid services for survivors.
Social services and gender equality in daily life
Strong social safety nets enable women to thrive. This includes universal healthcare, state-funded childcare, paid parental leave, and substantial maternity protections. Finland, for example, offers extensive family leave policies and workplace protections.
These structural supports enable women to exercise real freedom—whether as single mothers, young professionals, or older adults seeking dignity and quality of life.
Country Spotlights: What Women Can Expect
Norway
Ranked first on earlier WPS editions and seventh in the latest, Norway combines strong legal protections with a deep cultural commitment to equality. Women participate widely in politics, and the country mandates quotas for women on corporate boards. Norway also offers extensive parental leave and has a low prevalence of violence. Its tourist infrastructure is reliable and modern, making it ideal for female travellers and long-term residents alike.
Denmark
Denmark leads the 2023 rankings. Its defining strength is a deeply rooted culture of trust and collective responsibility for safety. Discrimination is prohibited by law, pay equity is enforced, and generous leave policies support shared parenting. In Copenhagen, it is both common and unremarkable for women to walk alone at night without fear.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s combination of low crime, clean infrastructure, and universal healthcare makes it an attractive destination. According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland’s foreign policy actively promotes gender equality and women’s rights, not only domestically but globally. For women seeking scenic beauty, political stability, and personal security, Switzerland certainly stands out.
Iceland
Iceland is frequently named by solo female travellers as a top destination, not only for its natural beauty but for its commitment to safety, political empowerment, and progressive family policies. Equal pay laws are rigorously enforced, and Iceland consistently ranks among the world’s top five countries for gender equality.
Netherlands
The Netherlands exemplifies the intersection of progressivism and practical policy. Efficient public transport, inclusive healthcare, and low crime rates ensure women’s freedom of movement and economic participation. Dutch society supports a range of family structures and prioritises sustainability, physical activity, and healthy living as part of its cultural fabric.
For Solo Female Travelers: Peace of Mind on the Move
Traveling as a woman often requires a careful balance between seeking freedom and maintaining vigilance. Women must assess accommodations, understand local customs, and prepare for emergencies. This is precisely why choosing destinations with a proven track record of safety and gender equality is so important.
In countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and Austria, women report not only feeling protected, but also experiencing genuine respect. This distinction is critical. The difference between mere safety and true respect can transform a woman’s experience of daily life.
The safest countries for women do not simply implement a few effective policies; they are guided by a core philosophy that women are entitled to freedom, respect, and opportunity. Whether you are planning a brief visit, considering relocation, or supporting someone else’s journey, the WPS Index provides the evidence needed to make informed, empowered choices.
As a professional dedicated to advancing women’s safety and reducing violence, I urge every woman to consider what safety truly means for her. Is it legal protection? The freedom to walk home without fear? The ability to raise a child while building a career? In the world’s safest countries for women, it is all of these—and more.
Safety is not simply the absence of harm. It is the presence of rights, dignity, and real choices. The more knowledge we have, the more effectively we can demand, pursue, and secure genuine safety—wherever in the world we may be.
About the Author
Robert Kaiser specialises in strategies to prevent violence against women, integrating insights from criminology, forensic psychology, and behavioural sciences. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Criminology, focusing on Escalation Pattern Analysis (EPA): Understanding, Predicting, and Preventing High-Harm and Lethality in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Robert is also the author of NEVER A VICTIM, a 530-page survivor-led, trauma-informed guide to women’s safety.