The Safest and Most Dangerous Major Cities in the World in 2026

02.09.2026, 20:20 visitukraine.today

Numbeo’s latest ranking reveals the safest and most dangerous major cities in the world in 2026. Find out where travelers should be especially cautious

In Numbeo’s latest safety ranking of major cities, Doha, Dubai and Taipei took the top spots, while Caracas, Johannesburg and Durban recorded the lowest scores.

When planning a trip, travelers consider more than just prices, transportation and attractions. Safety is also an important factor. Numbeo’s new Safety Index for 2026 shows that none of Europe’s major cities made it into the top 10 safest cities in the world.

The leading positions went to cities in the Middle East and Asia. Meanwhile, the lowest scores were recorded mainly by cities in Southern Africa and Latin America. It is important to note that this ranking is not official crime statistics. It reflects how safe users of the platform perceive their surroundings to be and does not cover every risk a traveler may encounter.

Read also: Europe’s Best Beaches 2026: Top 10

Numbeo is one of the world’s largest databases covering the cost and quality of living. The platform combines millions of crowdsourced reports from users with automated market data collection and statistical verification.

Numbeo publishes data on:

The platform’s data is used by individual travelers, researchers, businesses and organizations for international comparisons. However, the Safety Index should not be viewed as an accurate risk forecast or as a complete substitute for official government data.

The Safety Index is based on assessments related to crime levels, concerns about robbery, theft, assault and property damage, as well as people’s sense of safety while moving around a city. A higher score indicates a higher perceived level of safety.

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According to Numbeo’s Safety Index, the following major cities have the highest safety scores in 2026:

No European city made it into the top 10. This does not mean that European cities are generally less safe. The ranking covers a specific group of major cities, and the final positions depend on the sample, the number of responses and the methodology used to calculate the scores.

The high positions of Doha, Dubai, Taipei, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul may be linked to low levels of street crime and a strong sense of personal safety. These cities generally have well-developed public transportation systems, extensive surveillance, modern urban infrastructure and responsive emergency services.

Doha and Dubai are major international hubs with well-developed infrastructure for foreign residents and tourists. Strict law enforcement and a high level of control in public spaces may also contribute to the perception of safety.

Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul have dense urban infrastructure, efficient public transportation and large numbers of people on the streets throughout the day. This can contribute to residents and visitors feeling safer while moving around the city.

Singapore is known for its clear rules in public spaces and strict enforcement. Hong Kong and Shenzhen also have extensive transportation networks and modern urban infrastructure.

At the same time, a high Safety Index score does not mean that a city is completely free of risks. In any destination, tourists should keep an eye on their belongings and documents, follow local rules, check the latest travel advice and remain alert when using public transportation.

Planning a trip abroad? Take care of your safety and arrange travel insurance before you set off. Get reliable travel insurance from the Visit Ukraine portal!

At the other end of the ranking are mainly cities in Southern Africa and Latin America:

A low Safety Index score means that platform users are more likely to report concerns about robbery, theft, assault, street crime or traveling through certain areas after dark.

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Caracas has faced economic and social challenges for many years, which may affect both crime levels and perceptions of safety. For tourists, the choice of neighborhood, means of transportation and adherence to local recommendations are particularly important.

Johannesburg and Durban have significant differences between neighborhoods. Both cities have safer business, tourist and residential areas, but there are also districts where the risk of theft, robbery and violent crime may be higher. Travelers are advised to avoid unfamiliar areas at night and use reliable transportation.

Salvador and Fortaleza are popular tourist destinations in Brazil. However, as in many large cities across the country, safety conditions can vary considerably from one neighborhood to another. Tourist areas, beaches and central districts may have very different conditions from more remote parts of the city.

A low position in the ranking does not mean that a city cannot be visited. Instead, it highlights the need for more careful planning when choosing accommodation, routes and transportation. Travelers should also take into account advice from Ukrainian diplomatic missions and local authorities.

Planning to travel abroad? Arrange travel insurance in advance to have financial support in case of illness, injury or other unexpected situations.

Get reliable travel insurance from the Visit Ukraine portal!

The Safety Index can be a useful reference when planning a trip, but it should not be the only factor when choosing a destination. Before traveling, it is important to check:

Safety within the same city can vary depending on the neighborhood, time of day and type of trip. For example, a business district, tourist area and outskirts may have very different crime rates and levels of infrastructure.

Numbeo also does not take every possible threat into account. The index is not a comprehensive assessment of geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, epidemiological risks, traffic accidents or emergency situations. Travelers should therefore combine the ranking with official information.

Traveling abroad? Arrange travel insurance in advance to have financial support in case of illness, injury or other unexpected situations.

Get reliable travel insurance from the Visit Ukraine portal!

Regardless of where a city ranks, the basic safety rules remain the same:

If your trip involves outdoor activities, a long stay or travel between several countries, check whether your insurance policy covers your entire itinerary and the activities you plan to take part in.

Travel with greater peace of mind: arrange travel insurance before leaving the country and check which risks are covered by your chosen plan.

Numbeo’s 2026 Safety Index highlights the strong performance of cities in the Middle East and Asia. Doha, Dubai and Taipei topped the list of major cities with the highest levels of perceived safety.

The lowest scores were recorded by Caracas, Johannesburg, Durban, Salvador and Fortaleza. Crime levels, socioeconomic conditions, uneven urban development and concerns among residents and visitors may all influence these results.

At the same time, Numbeo is not a government crime database or a universal risk map. Its data should be used as one of several reference points. Travelers should make their final decisions based on official advice, the specifics of their itinerary and their own preparation.

Remember! Choosing a city for a trip or relocation? We recommend our guide to the best European cities to visit in winter 2026!

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