Study OAS ·
Gallup Global Safety Report 2025
What’s the News?
- According to the Gallup Global Safety Report 2025, 73% of adults globally report feeling safe walking alone at night in their communities—the highest level since tracking began in 2006.
- Despite ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, perceived safety has improved notably in Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa.
- Singapore ranks as the safest country for the 12th time, with 98% of residents feeling secure, while South Africa ranks lowest at 33%.
Key Findings & Regional Insights
Global Trends
- Latin America & the Caribbean: For the first time, 50% of residents feel safe at night—a significant milestone for a historically high-crime region.
- Gender Safety Gap: Globally, 78% of men vs. 67% of women feel safe walking alone at night. In over 100 countries, this gap exceeds 10 percentage points.
- Widest gaps observed in high-income nations: USA (84% men vs. 58% women), Australia, and several EU countries.
Top and Bottom Performers
- Top 10 Safest: Dominated by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE—all reporting >90% safety perception.
- Least Safe: South Africa (33%), Lesotho (34%), and Botswana (34%) remain at the bottom.
Policy Implications
- The report, co-published with New York University’s Center on International Cooperation (CIC), emphasizes that safety is not just absence of violence but presence of trust, strong institutions, and community resilience.
- Highlights successful local models:
- Pelotas & Niterói (Brazil): Use data-driven, cross-sectoral strategies under the Peace in Our Cities network.
- South Africa: Engages private sector in national violence prevention initiatives.
Additional Info
- Gallup Global Safety Metric:
- Based on annual surveys across 140+ countries.
- Core question: “Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?”
- Serves as a key indicator for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
- India’s Context:
- Not explicitly ranked in the 2025 report, but previous editions noted moderate safety perception with significant urban-rural and gender disparities.
- Aligns with India’s focus on smart policing, women’s safety initiatives (e.g., Nirbhaya Fund), and community policing models.