The Safest Countries To Be

Global War Risks and Modern Conflict

If World War 3 were to happen, no place on Earth would be completely safe. Modern warfare involves not just tanks and soldiers but also “cyberwarfare, space-based systems, economic blackmail, and long-range missiles.” This means even distant countries could face serious impacts from global conflict.

Exceptionally Safe Countries

Some nations are considered safer due to their geography, neutrality, and history of avoiding wars. Switzerland is a prime example—“nestled deep within the Alps,” it has “fiercely neutral” policies and legal protections. Nearly every household there is near a fallout shelter, and mandatory military service is “solely for defense.” New Zealand is another safe haven, protected by distance and “a strong agricultural economy” with energy independence, ranked as one of the best places to survive a global collapse.

Peaceful and Neutral Nations

Other countries known for peace include Bhutan, which avoids military involvement and values “Gross National Happiness” over GDP. Despite neighbors like China and India, Bhutan maintains diplomatic balance. Iceland, “isolated in the North Atlantic,” has no standing army and ranks as the world’s most peaceful country for over a decade, though it is a NATO member. Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, focusing on “education and health,” gaining respect for diplomacy and environmental leadership.

Countries with Rising Risks

Finland and Sweden, once neutral, joined NATO after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This raises their risk levels—especially Finland, which “shares a long border with Russia.” Sweden has maintained strong civil defense, while Finland has “thousands of underground bunkers.” Other mentions include Ireland, Singapore, Argentina, and Chile—mostly peaceful but potentially vulnerable to economic or cyber pressures.