The world’s top five safest countries

Qatar has been ranked sixth among the top 10 safest countries having a population of under five million, according to a new report released by research company Value Penguin.

A total of 107 countries were ranked based on factors such as population, life expectancy, and crime. A safety score was then assigned to each country, with a lower number considered more favourable.

The report also created three separate lists based on the size of the countries – one for smaller nations with a population of under five million; one for midsize countries with a population of between five to 20 million; and another for large nations boasting a population of over 20 million.

Qatar was the only Gulf Cooperation Council country to appear on the rankings in any of the three categories. According to the United States’ Overseas Security Advisory Council, the Gulf state is rated low in political violence and overall crime, making it one of the safest countries to reside in.

Overall, Switzerland topped the list with a safety score of 37 followed by Switzerland and Singapore.

The top five safest countries in the world typically have an average safety score that is around 47.6 per cent lower than the other countries in the study, the report found.

Top Five Safest Countries in 2015

1. Switzerland

Population: 8, 157, 896
Safety score: 37
Fact: Switzerland averaged only seven violent crimes per 100,000 people

2. Singapore

Population: 5, 517, 102
Safety score: 42
Fact: Singapore is the most environmentally friendly out of the top five, emitting 54 per cent less carbon dioxide than an average country

3. Spain

Population: 47, 066, 402
Safety score: 43
Fact: Spain reported 61 per cent less traffic deaths than its average peer

4. Japan

Population: 126, 999, 808
Safety score: 51
Fact: Japanese people have the high average life expectancy of 83

5. Cyprus

Population: 1, 153, 058
Safety score: 63
Fact: Cyprus has 466 national police personnel and 111 thefts per 100,000 people