Safeture and intelligence expert company Riskline have released their yearly Risk Map, which highlights where global risk levels are increasing.
The map utilises a clear colour scale—from dark green (low risk) through light green, yellow, orange, and red (critical risk)—providing travellers and organisations with an immediate visual understanding of the situation in every country.
The Risk Map 2026 highlights the world’s most challenging destinations from a security, medical and logistical perspective, but also lists the ten safest cities worldwide.
Armed conflicts continue to dominate global risk levels
Ongoing conflicts, unrest, and insurgencies remain the primary factors contributing to high-risk levels worldwide.
Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan are among the most difficult locations due to militant activity, border tensions, and limited government control.
Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Somalia also remain highly unstable because of conflict, civil unrest, and widespread crime.
Medical vulnerabilities add additional complexity
Healthcare fragility continues to pose significant challenges in regions with high risk. Afghanistan faces a very high medical risk due to limited infrastructure and scarce international support.
Significant vulnerabilities are also reported in Papua New Guinea, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Haiti, Venezuela, Guyana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
These issues include outbreaks of preventable diseases, shortages of medical supplies, and limited emergency care, often requiring medical evacuation.
Cities: from highly stable to highly unstable
On the list of the world’s ten safest cities from A to Z for next year, there are several that appear regularly, as well as some new ones. Abu Dhabi, Bern, Montevideo, Munich, Ottawa, Perth, Reykjavik, Singapore, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Low crime rates, strong governance, and effective public services characterize all of them.
In contrast, Kabul, Quetta, Port Moresby, Dili, Mogadishu, Khartoum, Goma, Port-au-Prince, Caracas, and Guatemala City are categorized as Least Safe Cities, heavily affected by unrest, militant activity, and organized crime.
Significant changes in 2025
Several regions saw notable shifts in their threat environment:
- Israel, Lebanon, Iran, the West Bank, and Gaza experienced fluctuating levels linked to the Gaza conflict, peaking mid-year before stabilizing.
- Martinique saw increased threat levels during major protests before returning to normal.
- New Caledonia improved after unrest subsided.
- Turks and Caicos Islands saw rising crime impact the assessment.
- Mali, Nepal, and Mozambique faced elevated threat levels linked to jihadist attacks, youth protests, and post-election unrest.
- Congo-Brazzaville and Bangladesh recorded increased stability.
Threats, risks and why a map still matters
While threats describe the external situation, risk depends on the traveler — their location, exposure, and their organization’s ability to support them. Threats can be high in a country, yet the actual risk to an individual may be low if no assets or personnel are present.
A risk map can’t replace organisation-specific risk assessments — but it remains an essential tool. It offers a reliable, neutral reference point for understanding the broader landscape, spotting emerging patterns, and preparing travellers before exposure becomes personal.
“Risk awareness shouldn’t be about creating fear — it’s about giving people the clarity they need to make good decisions,” said Jonas Brorson, Chief Marketing Officer, at Safeture. “With the Risk Map 2026, we aim to simplify global complexity and demonstrate that even in uncertain times, preparation and the right digital tools can make a tangible difference.
“Our goal is simple: help organisations take responsibility for their people, wherever they are in the world.”
As in previous years, the Risk Map 2026 is free to download here.
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