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Are you planning a vacation?
According to International SOS, the following countries pose the greatest risk for travelers in 2024 and are the safest.
The risk assessment firm ranks these countries based on several indicators, including security, medical risks and climate change impacts, in its 2024 Risk Map.
According to International SOS, the African countries of Libya and South Sudan have emerged as places of “extreme” security risk, with “minimal or non-existent government control and law and order” It is said to be relevant to countries where government and transportation services are largely non-functional.
Countries with a “high” security risk are frequently plagued by violent protests that can target foreigners. Venezuela, Pakistan, and Burma fall into this category.
A residential area stands on the skyline of the city of Reykjavik, Iceland.
Arnaldur Halldorsson | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In contrast, Scandinavian countries are among the safest countries in terms of security. The index assesses the prevalence of violence and petty crime, as well as the threat posed by political violence and social unrest.
Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Greenland are all classified as countries posing a “minor” security risk. Switzerland and Slovenia are also among the countries with the least security risks.
Countries with a “very high” medical risk, assessed based on the spread of infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus and the level of emergency medical services, include Afghanistan and North Korea, as well as African countries such as Sudan and Libya. .
Countries with the lowest medical risks include the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Singapore.
Access to medical care while traveling is a top concern for people, and 60% of travelers say the likelihood of facing a medical emergency while traveling is a major factor in purchasing travel insurance It states that.
James Clark, content specialist at insurance company SquareMath, said primary health care providers typically don’t cover the cost of injuries or illnesses sustained overseas, which can result in large out-of-pocket costs. That’s what it means.
International SOS also ranked countries based on climate change and how it leads to humanitarian crises and disasters. However, for travelers, it may not be a pressing concern yet.
“We see that these risks are increasingly interdependent. For example, worsening climatic conditions may lead to increased medical risks, in particular the development of new diseases and an increased frequency of existing diseases. ” said Noriko Takasaki, Security Director. International SOS told CNBC Travel.
