The World's Most Dangerous Countries for Travelers in 2023

Isn’t travel one of the greatest pleasures in life? The leisure to stand and stare, soak in the beauty of a new place, and enjoy the culture of a place all make travel a life-changing, eat-pray-love kind experience. The world’s safest destinations are no longer attractive – travel tastes are evolving, and so are we!

You can also say this as this is the age of Dark Tourism. So, visiting places associated with human oppression, crime, and natural disasters is a common trend these days. Type #darktourism on Instagram, and you will find as many as 82.9k posts popping before your eyes.

Further, type #Afghanistan on Instagram, and the number of posts is 5.7M. And Afghanistan has been the most dangerous country in the world for tourists. Joining Afghanistan on the list were countries like Syria, Yemen, Lybia, etc.

But there has been a change, with Yemen rising to the number one spot on the list. It now has a score of 3.397 on the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024.

If you want a unique and rare travel experience, these countries are surely for you. Meanwhile, if you are from Canada and need some legal assistance, discover the best criminal appeal lawyers near me.

What Is The Most Dangerous Country In The World | Check Out The Ranking On The Global Peace Index 2024

As I just mentioned, Yemen is the most dangerous country in the world for tourists now. Further, thanks to the Israel-Gaza conflict, there has been an overall deterioration in the peace conditions globally. The downfall is 0.56%, to be exact.

Nevertheless, facing the worst humanitarian crisis, the following countries are the most perilous places in the world for tourists.

Let’s know briefly about them and their ranking on the Global Peace Index as the most dangerous countries in the world.

1. Yemen

Global Peace Index Ranking: 1

Global Peace Index Score: 3.397

Located on the Arabian Peninsula’s southernmost tip, Yemen is the most dangerous country in the world. Since 2015, Yemen has been in the middle of a civil war with different factions fighting for control over the government.

Hence, it leads to widespread violence, humanitarian problems, and displacement, leaving millions of people in desperate need of aid.

Additionally, Yemen has also witnessed a rise in criminal activities, including armed robberies and kidnappings, further adding to the problems here.

The country’s crime rate is also at a whopping 68.93%, which is the highest as compared to other countries, making Yemen the deadliest country in the world!

The major tribes here have a reputation for being a part of criminal activities like kidnapping and looting. They also possess major weaponry and have the independence to do so within their local territories.

Unfortunately, visitors here are at risk of being mistreated by these tribes and might also need to pay a huge ransom amount to secure their release.

Moreover, the torrential rains and associated flooding that have hit a majority of cities have made travel both difficult and unsafe.

The flooding has damaged the bridges and the roads, making travel by land risky and challenging. In certain areas, roads have actually been washed away thoroughly while bridges have collapsed, making it absolutely impossible to commute by vehicle.

The UNICEF data about Yemen is alarming. More than 11 million kids in Yemen need humanitarian assistance – millions lack essential services and are facing food insecurity. More than 54K kids under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, and shockingly, a kid dies every ten minutes in Yemen due to such preventable causes. At least 24 million people (almost 80% population of the country) need humanitarian assistance badly. Some major factors to intensify the crisis in this most dangerous country in the world are:Israel-Hamas WarHouthi Missile AttackDrone AttacksMilitary Responses in Yemen by the USA and the UK

Visitors are at a high risk of getting caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Civil War or getting targeted by extremist groups.

2. Sudan

Global Peace Index Ranking: 2

Global Peace Index Score: 3.327

The armed battle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF, or the Rapid Support Forces, has been troubling Sudan for a long time.

Currently, West Darfur is the most troubled area in the country. The news of targeted attacks and the loss of 15,000 civilians is horrific. Can you believe that the World Population Review suspects a total loss of 150000 human lives in the nation?

North Africa has always been turbulent as Sudan is another land of lawlessness and turbulence in that zone. The worst thing about this most dangerous country in the world is its inaccessibility. It is difficult to reach out to the people there with humanitarian aid.

3. South Sudan

Global Peace Index Rating: 3

Global Peace Index Score: 3.324

On 9th July 2011, South Sudan became independent after a referendum in January. Inspite of the optimism in the beginning and plenty of hopes for a bright future, the country is now struggling to maintain some stability. Since then, political power struggles and ethnic tensions have only aggravated the situation.

Since South Sudan achieved independence, President Salva Kiir has been at odds with his former Vice President Riek Machar. In 2013, the struggle for power between Kiir and Machar escalated into an unplanned Civil War during December, displacing and killing millions of people in the process.

The conflict has witnessed brutal atrocities from both ends, including murder, use of child soldiers, and rape. Hence, the country is now at the top of the list of the most violent countries in the world.

The situation here is dire, with diseases and famine rampant across the country. The UN has declared a famine in a few parts of the country, and over 7 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Armed groups have also managed to target journalists and workers.

South Sudan is a hotspot for natural resources – from oil and gold to plenty of fertile land. There’s so much to explore here! But these resources have so far not contributed to the country’s prosperity or growth. Instead, they have only fueled more corruption and conflict, with multiple factions fighting for control over these resources.

The government, on top of that, has also been accused of mishandling these resources with little to no benefits for the civilians.

4. Afghanistan:

Global Peace Index Ranking: 4

Global Peace Index Score: 3.294

As the most dangerous country in the world for the longest time, Afghanistan has made some progress on the Global Peace Index (GPI). Afghanistan’s tumultuous history, high levels of violence, and ongoing conflict have earned the country this infamous distinction.

The most worrying factor is the existence of different extremist groups in the country. For instance, the Taliban have been waging an extremely brutal insurgency against the actual Afghanistan government for more than two decades now. They are responsible for countless violence and deaths of soldiers and civilians in this most dangerous country in the world.

Other extremist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS have also managed to establish a presence in the country, further adding to the instability. Here, terrorist attacks are frequent and take place more regularly during any religious festivals, like during the month of Ramadan.

The pronounced level of danger here is further aggravated by a significant crime rate, which went up to 76.31% in 2023. The proliferation of criminal gangs and armed groups is a vital fact that contributes to the alarming figures. These groups are known for engaging in different illicit activities such as extortion, robbery, targeting affluent people, and kidnapping.

Plus, the drug trade has managed to play a crucial role in boosting the crime rate of the country. The country is the largest producer of opium in the world and is responsible for the production of 85% of opium globally, as per data found in 2020.

Drug trafficking is a lucrative income source for the different criminal organizations here. This has led to an increase in crimes related to drugs, such as drug trafficking, addiction, and related violence.

5. Ukraine

Global Peace Index Ranking: 5

Global Peace Index Rating: 3.280

The Russian attack in 2022 has made humanitarian conditions the worst. The impact is clear at regional, national, and international levels.

It’s shocking that thanks to this crisis, at least 30% of the citizens have become refugees or were misplaced.

Further, there has been a massive food scarcity in the country. Military expenditure has been another factor impacting the optimization of resources.

6. DR Congo

Global Peace Index Rank: 6

Global Peace Index Rating: 3.264

The Democratic Republic of the Congo perenially suffers from political unrest and crimes. Volcanoes, eruptions, and other natural disasters add to the country’s crisis.

Further, women’s safety is a concern in the country, with rape and murder being frequent.

7. Russia

Global Peace Index Rank: 7

Global Peace Index Rating: 3.249

The world’s largest country, Russia, is also the most dangerous country in the world, or at least one of them! Russia is no stranger to danger -power plays and aggression typically characterize its foreign policy.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, which ended up sparking international sanctions and condemnation against Russia.

At the same time, Russia was also accused of interfering in foreign elections, including the presidential elections in the United States in 2016.

These actions have only managed to earn the country an infamous reputation for being one of the most violent countries in the world.

Domestically, Russia faces many other challenges as well. Political dissent is most often met with very harsh repression, and on top of that, the government has also been accused of abuses related to human rights.

Plus, corruption is rampant, with embezzlement and bribery being major issues in both the private and public sectors.

Russia’s North Caucasus region is particularly volatile, with separatist movements and an Islamist insurgency posing significant threats related to security.

In particular, Chechnya has been the spot for multiple wars and several ongoing conflicts, with extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses being reported. The region is also well known for its high percentage of corruption and organized crime.

8. Syria:

Global Peace Index Rank: 8

Global Peace Index Rating: 3.173

Syria is a country that has been devastated by constant conflict, making it perhaps one of the most dangerous and violent countries in the whole world. Since the 2011 Civil War, the country has become a hotspot for instability and violence, with numerous armed factions fighting for control over resources and territories.

The most recent catastrophic event that occurred here was the Turkey-Syria earthquake, which struck sometime in February earlier this year. Unfortunately, the earthquake had a devastating impact, with more than 50K deaths. The disaster also ended up causing significant damage, leaving multiple people without any access to vital health care.

As a result, reportedly, 18 million people or more are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. About 90% of Syrians were living in a below-poverty-line situation, while about 12 million people out of the remaining population (approximately 16 million people) were experiencing food insecurity, as per WFP (World Food Programme).

Additionally, Syria is also struggling with a high risk of infections and diseases partly because the public health infrastructure has crumbled. Almost forty thousand people have died because of diseases such as measles and cholera in various parts of the country, making Syria one of the world’s most violent countries.

Limited access to effective healthcare means that most people are struggling to obtain adequate medical care. The citizens are relatively more miserable because of political instability and economic sanctions, which have made it very difficult to access international aid or essential goods.

Plus, those individuals who venture into this country, whether for journalism or humanitarian purposes, face threats of kidnapping and violence constantly. Undoubtedly, Syria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world, most notably for journalists.

9. Israel

Global Peace Index Rank: 9

Global Peace Index Rating: 3.115

As the most dangerous country in the world, Israel has made the most deterioration in 2024. On the 2024 list of Global Peace Index (Most Peaceful Country in the World), it now stands at 155th position.

At least 30% of people in the country don’t feel safe now (2024). This is again a dangerous sign compared to 17% of people feeling unsafe in the country last year.

No wonder that the Israel-Hamas conflict is behind this escalation of the crisis, and the Ongoing Conflict score is going up to 31%.

10. Mali

Global Peace Index Ranking: 10

Global Peace Index Score: 3.095

Over the past decade, Mali has been a prominent zone of civil war. Communal instabilities and terrorist activities have further made it one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

With thousands of people losing their lives, the violence in the country has reached beyond borders. The neighboring African nations and France have tried to mitigate the crisis. However, it has been of little use.

Other Dangerous Countries In The World (In Random Order)

With a deterioration in the humanitarian conditions worldwide, the list of dangerous countries becomes longer.

So, here are some more countries that remain turbulent and disturbed by human crisis.

Somalia:

GPI Ranking: 11

GPI Rating: 3.091

Somalia is a country plagued by anarchy and lawlessness for decades, earning its reputation as one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Ravaged by piracy, famine, and civil war, it is a country where chaos rules!

Al-Shabaab is a militant group (an offshoot of the even more notorious Al-Qaeda) that continues to spread terror throughout the nation, launching dangerous attacks on both government forces and civilians.

A stable government’s absence only exacerbates the situation further, with the competing clans and factions vying for power. Rampant corruption, as well as the absence of basic infrastructure, only worsens the living conditions for the average citizens of Somalia.

For the ones brave enough to actually venture into this infamous territory, caution, and that too on extreme levels, is advised.

Iraq:

GPI Ranking: 13

GPI Rating: 3.045

Iraq has faced multiple challenges over the years because of conflict and war, making it another one of the most dangerous countries in the world to visit. Even today, the remnants of the infamous ISIS continue to pose significant threats to the Iraqi forces as well as the civilians inspired by being weakened greatly.

Sectarian violence, assassinations, and suicide bombings are still very much prevalent in multiple parts of Iraq. The sense of danger here is constant for the ones living as well as the ones visiting.

The constant conflict between the autonomous Kurdish region and the central government further adds to the complexity. It has already caused tensions to increase and has led to violence, making the entire situation even more precarious.

Iraq’s infrastructure has been damaged severely due to several years of war as well as conflict. It has also impacted the economy, with multiple businesses struggling to even survive.

As a result, Iraq’s unemployment percentage continues to be high, while poverty is prevalent in different areas of the country. Additionally, corruption also continues to be a significant issue here, further aggravating the problems currently facing Iraq.

Libya: Making A Wonderful Improvement In Combatting Humanitarian Crisis

Libya had struggled with civil war and political instability since 2011 when the Gaddafi-led ‘government’ collapsed. So, people know it as the most dangerous country in the world.

Currently, Libya is divided into two rival governments fighting for power: in the eastern city of Tobruk, the LNA is located, and in the capital city of Tripoli, the GNA is located. While both parties have agreed on signing a ceasefire in 2020, occasional clashes are common here.

The conflict here is fueled by the basic struggle for power to control the vast oil reserves of the country. Different armed militias and groups have made the most of the power vacuum created by Gaddafi’s failure.

The existence of different extremist groups like ISIS has only added to the danger and volatility in Libya. These groups have carried out targeted killings and terrorist attacks – this makes it even more difficult for the government to establish any form of control.

Obviously, the ongoing violence has had a terrible impact on the population of Libya. Violence, lack of access to most essential services, and displacement have left a majority of civilians struggling for survival. Many schools, hospitals, and other such essential services are all in disrepair.

The UN and other international organizations have been actually working for peace to deal between the two rival factions, but progress needs to come faster.

All these endeavors have shown results. Its overall GPI score has gone up by 7.1% in 2024. Further, its current GPI score is 2.528. Also, in 2023, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) score of the country was 4.730, and in 2024, it has improved to 2.605.

So, if you have been waiting to explore the desert landscape and ancient ruins of Libya, this is your time to visit.