The Safest and Most Dangerous Countries for Solo Female Travelers
Traveling Alone as a Woman: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Solo female travel is empowering, exciting, and a growing trend worldwide. But while some destinations are safe and welcoming, others pose significant risks. We’ve analyzed data from multiple trusted sources to create the Women’s Danger Index, helping you identify the safest and most dangerous countries for women traveling alone.
💡 At the end of this article, you’ll find 42 essential tips on staying safe while traveling solo!
How We Ranked the Countries 🏆
We assessed the 50 most-visited countries using eight key factors that impact safety for solo female travelers:
- Feeling Safe Walking Alone at Night (Gallup World Poll) 🌙
- Intentional Homicide Against Women (Equal Measures 2030) ⚖️
- Non-Partner Sexual Violence (UN Women) 🚫
- Intimate Partner Violence (Georgetown Institute) 💔
- Legal Discrimination (Georgetown Institute) ⚖️
- Gender Gap Index (World Economic Forum) 🌍
- Gender Inequality (UN Development Program) 📉
- Attitudes Toward Violence Against Women (OECD) 🆘
Each factor contributes to a country’s overall score. Unfortunately, no country scored a perfect “A,” showing there’s still work to do in achieving gender equality worldwide.
🌍 Countries That Surprised Us Most
Here are five countries that weren’t the worst or the best, but had surprising rankings:
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic (#6 Worst) – High crime rates, poor street safety, and recent concerning incidents make this tourist hotspot riskier than expected.
🇲🇾 Malaysia (#11 Worst) – A significant gap in gender equality separates Malaysia from its much safer neighbor, Singapore.
🇺🇸 United States (#19 Worst) – The most dangerous Western country, with poor scores in street safety and gender inequality. Shockingly, homicide is the third leading cause of death for women aged 20–24.
🇦🇺 Australia (#14 Worst) – High rates of non-partner sexual violence landed this country in a surprisingly poor position.
🇭🇷 Croatia (#25 Best) – Though safer overall, Croatia has concerning levels of sexual violence compared to other European nations.
🚨 The 5 Most Dangerous Countries for Solo Female Travelers
1. 🇿🇦 South Africa (Worst)
- Index Score: 771.82
- Poor street safety and high rates of violence against women.
- Travelers are advised not to walk alone, hike, or use public transport alone.
2. 🇧🇷 Brazil
- Index Score: 624.28
- High homicide rates and street crime, with warnings against resisting robberies.
3. 🇷🇺 Russia
- Index Score: 592.71
- Gender discrimination and sexual violence remain concerns.
4. 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Index Score: 576.05
- High risk of street crime and violence; best to stay in resorts for safety.
5. 🇮🇷 Iran
- Index Score: 553.11
- The worst performer in gender equality but relatively low homicide rates.
✅ The 5 Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers
1. 🇪🇸 Spain (Safest)
- Index Score: 212.04
- High street safety, low discrimination, and a progressive stance on women’s rights.
2. 🇸🇬 Singapore
- Index Score: 245.26
- 92% of women feel safe walking alone at night.
3. 🇮🇪 Ireland
- Index Score: 247.31
- Low levels of violence against women, though the gender pay gap remains an issue.
4. 🇦🇹 Austria
- Index Score: 251.63
- Low sexual violence rates and excellent gender equality.
5. 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- Index Score: 252.78
- Strong safety measures and progressive women’s rights.
✈️ How to Stay Safe While Traveling Solo
Solo female travel is generally safe, but no destination is 100% risk-free. Here are some key tips:
- 📌 Research local customs and laws before traveling.
- 🚕 Use official transport services and avoid unregistered taxis.
- 🎒 Keep your valuables secure and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- 📍 Share your location with friends or family.
- ⏳ Trust your instincts—if a place feels unsafe, leave immediately.
🛡️ Travel Insurance: A Must-Have
Unexpected incidents can happen anywhere. Comprehensive travel insurance covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations, giving you peace of mind. Before your trip, compare insurance plans to ensure you’re fully protected.
