Europe is considered one of the most developed regions in the world, but that doesn't mean there are no dangerous countries in Europe. Learn more about the Global Peace Index (GPI) and the 10 most dangerous countries in Europe in 2024

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Europe is a popular destination among tourists from all over the world. Most of the countries in the region are quite safe for visitors. However, there are some in which tourists should be more careful.

One of the best ways to determine which countries are less safe than others is to examine their Global Peace Index score.

The list of the most dangerous countries in Europe in 2024 according to the GPI is in our material below.

What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)?

The Global Peace Index, also known as the GPI, is the primary indicator used to quantify the security of a particular country.

Many factors are taken into account - the number of violent crimes, the country's relations with its neighbors, whether the country is at war, the frequency of terrorist attacks and the stability of the government. In general, the higher the GPI, the less safe a country is.

Ukraine is the most dangerous country in Europe in 2024

The global peace index is 3.04.

In general, Ukraine is a wonderful country with many interesting places to visit. However, in 2022 Russia invaded its territory and now it is a zone of active military operations.

The western part of the country is safer than the eastern part, where the front line passes, but the governments of many countries around the world are currently advising their citizens to avoid traveling to Ukraine.

Among the positives, there is no terrorism in Ukraine, as well as a low rate of murders, an average of 3.84 murders per 100,000 people.

2nd place - Belarus

The global peace index is 2.25.

Belarus actively supports Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, the increase in the level of militarization made it one of the most dangerous countries in Europe. The country is also widely known for its authoritarian government and lack of press freedom.

The level of organized crime in Belarus is higher than most countries in the world, due to human and drug trafficking, and the lack of laws to help combat it.

On the positive side, compared to other countries in the world, Belarus has a fairly low homicide rate.

3rd place – France

The global peace index is 1.94.

France is one of the three countries in Western Europe with the highest level of terrorism. In particular, the terrorist organization Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), which was created in 2017, declared France its main enemy. Of course, the organization is not as big and well-known as ISIS or the Taliban, but it still creates considerable obstacles for the security of France.

France has a low homicide rate of about 1.14 per 100,000 people. However, the rate of organized crime in it is higher than in its Western European neighbors, because there are facts of human and drug trafficking.

4th place – Serbia

The global peace index is 1.92.

The country's long-running conflict with Kosovo puts Serbia high on the ranking. Another danger is unexploded mines and ammunition left over from the 1999 Kosovo War.

The state also has a high level of organized crime, but the degree of terrorism is lower than in many countries of the world.

5th place - Cyprus

The global peace index is 1.90.

This island nation in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the hottest in Europe. Fortunately, it ranks low on the organized crime index. However, part of Cyprus has declared itself independent (only Turkey recognizes this fact), so there are occasional conflicts on the border.

Cyprus does not take a direct part in any major military operations.

6th place – Bosnia and Herzegovina

The global peace index is 1.89.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has high rates of organized crime, due to the fact that it is a transit country for human and drug trafficking.

The risk of terrorism, as well as the level of murders here, is low.

7th place - Greece

The global peace index is 1.88.

Greece is still considered an incredibly safe country for tourists, as evidenced by its low homicide rate. However, the state suffers quite a lot from terrorism. In 2022 alone, 35 attacks took place here. The advantage is that there has not been a single victim of terrorist acts in the country for almost 10 years.

8th place - Moldova

The global peace index is 1.87.

By European standards, Moldova has a low level of security. In particular, it has the highest homicide rate in Europe. Also, Moldova is the main target of human trafficking, which then spreads to other countries. Additionally, it is a transit country for drug and arms trafficking.

9th place – Montenegro

The global peace index is 1.77.

Montenegro has a high index of organized crime, because the country is a transit country for illegal trade and smuggling. Montenegro's homicide rate is 2.39 per 100,000 people, which is higher than most European countries.

10th place - Albania

The global peace index is 1.74.

The level of crime in Albania is quite high, property crimes have become particularly popular in the country. There are also many organized criminal gangs in the country that sell drugs. Another negative factor is the high level of corruption in Albania. Albania's homicide rate is 2.31 per 100,000 people, which is higher than in other European countries.

In general, regardless of which country you are going to, follow the basic safety rules when traveling abroad: be careful, don't walk alone at night, and pay attention to the recommendations of your country's government regarding travel to the chosen country.

We wish you good travels!

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

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Photo: Tous droits réservés Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via AP