30 Countries That Are Unsafe For Women Travelling Alone

1. South Africa: it isn't safe to walk home alone at night

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South Africa grapples with deeply concerning statistics regarding women's safety. Only a mere 25% of South African women feel secure walking alone at night, marking the nation with the lowest "safe to walk alone at night" rating. Tragically, this sentiment is not unfounded, as South Africa also bears the distressing distinction of having the highest intentional homicide rate of women.

2. Rio de Janeiro: it might not be the best place to solo travel

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Brazil confronts significant challenges in ensuring the safety and well-being of its women. With a mere 28% feeling secure walking alone at night, the country ranks second lowest in the index, highlighting widespread concerns about personal safety.

3. Russia: there's a lot of discrimination against women

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While Russia boasts captivating architecture and picturesque cities, women are advised to exercise caution and visit in the company of others, as per the index findings. Regrettably, Russia ranks second worst globally in terms of homicide against women, with a concerning index score of 28.2, signaling significant challenges regarding women's safety.

4. Mexico: it's not the safest for women alone

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Mexico faces significant challenges regarding women's safety and security. Despite its vibrant culture and bustling streets, only 33% of women feel safe walking alone at night, marking the country with the fourth-worst rating in this regard. Furthermore, Mexico ranks fourth worst globally in terms of intentional homicide against women.

5. Iran: there's a lot of domestic violence

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Women in Iran face numerous challenges, including concerns about personal safety and intimate partner violence, as highlighted by the index. The country ranks third worst in terms of legal discrimination against women, with a score of 46, indicating significant legal barriers to gender equality.

6. The Dominican Republic: there's gender inequality

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In the Dominican Republic, concerns about personal safety loom large for women, with only 33% feeling secure enough to walk alone at night, ranking the country with the fifth-worst percentage in the index. Additionally, the nation grapples with alarming levels of intentional homicide against women.

7. Egypt: get ready for some harassment

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In Egypt, women grapple with concerns about personal safety, as only 47% feel it is safe to walk alone at night in their residential areas, marking the country with the tenth-worst rating in the index. Additionally, Egypt faces significant challenges in terms of legal discrimination against women.

8. Morocco: many women report violence from their partners

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Morocco faces significant challenges in addressing intimate partner violence, with a staggering 45% of women reporting experiencing physical or sexual violence at the hands of their partners, marking the country with the worst incidence of intimate partner violence in this index.

9. India: there's huge gender inequality

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India faces profound challenges in addressing gender inequality and violence against women, as underscored by its alarming statistics. With a gender inequality index score of 0.524, India holds the dubious distinction of having the worst gender inequality score.

10. Thailand: violence against women

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Thailand faces significant challenges in combating violence against women and addressing gender inequality, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With a staggering 61% of women agreeing that a husband/partner is sometimes justified in beating their wife/partner.

11. Malaysia: not many feel good walking home at night

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Malaysia grapples with concerning challenges regarding women's safety and equality, as evidenced by its troubling statistics. With only 46.1% of women believing it is safe to walk alone at night, Malaysia ranks among the countries with the ninth-worst percentage in this regard, reflecting widespread concerns about personal safety.

12. Saudi Arabia: the gender gap and legal discrimination

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Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges in terms of legal discrimination and gender equality, as indicated by its concerning statistics. With a legal discrimination score of 54, Saudi Arabia holds the dubious distinction of having the worst legal discrimination score.

13. Turkey: it isn't the safest for solo female travelers

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Turkey faces significant challenges regarding women's safety and gender equality, as evidenced by its concerning statistics. With only 46.1% of women feeling safe to walk alone at night, Turkey ranks among the countries with the eighth-worst percentage in this aspect, indicating widespread concerns about personal security.

14. Argentina: crimes against women are high

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Argentina faces significant challenges regarding women's safety and well-being, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With only 31% of women feeling safe to walk alone at night, Argentina ranks as the third least safe country in this regard, indicating widespread concerns about personal security after dark.

15. Chile: stick to daylight hours

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Chile faces notable challenges in ensuring women's safety and well-being, as indicated by its concerning statistics. With only 39% of women feeling safe to walk alone at night, Chile ranks among the countries where women have heightened concerns about personal security after dark, surpassing all but six nations in the index.

16. Cambodia: partner- or wife-beating if rife

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Cambodia grapples with significant challenges regarding gender equality and attitudes towards domestic violence, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With 46% of women agreeing that a husband/partner is sometimes justified in beating their wife/partner, Cambodia holds the dubious distinction of having the third-worst percentage.

17. Bahrain: attitudes against women

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Bahrain grapples with significant challenges in achieving gender equality and addressing legal discrimination, as evidenced by its concerning statistics. With a global gender gap index score of 0.632, Bahrain ranks among the countries with the sixth-worst gender disparity, highlighting substantial gaps between men and women in various aspects of life.

18. Tunisia: don't go alone

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Nestled along the picturesque Mediterranean coast of North Africa, Tunisia boasts breathtaking landscapes that encompass pristine Mediterranean beaches and stretches of the majestic Sahara Desert. Despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, the country falls short as a favorable destination for solo female travelers.

19. The United States: there are still problematic attitudes

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The United States confronts significant challenges in addressing violence against women, as indicated by its concerning statistics. With a rating of 76.7, the country ranks ninth in intentional homicide of women, highlighting the tragic prevalence of such violence.

20. Ukraine: the global gender gap

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Ukraine grapples with significant concerns regarding women's safety, particularly during nighttime hours. With only 33% of women feeling safe to walk alone at night, the country ranks as the sixth most unsafe place for women to do so. This statistic underscores widespread apprehensions about personal security after dark.

21. The UAE: you likely won't feel comfortable

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality and addressing legal discrimination, as indicated by its concerning statistics. With a global gender gap index score of 0.649, the country ranks among the bottom performers, highlighting substantial disparities between men and women.

22. Vietnam: you'll need to be careful

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Vietnam faces significant challenges concerning intimate partner violence and attitudes toward violence against women, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With a reported rate of 34.4%, Vietnam ranks ninth worst in terms of intimate partner violence, underscoring the prevalence of such violence within domestic relationships.

23. China: not the best spot to solo travel

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China faces significant challenges in addressing sexual violence and domestic violence, as well as changing societal attitudes toward violence against women, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With a reported rate of 13%, China ranks sixth worst in terms of non-partner sexual violence.

24. Indonesia: there's a lot of discrimination

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Indonesia grapples with significant challenges regarding legal discrimination and gender inequality, as reflected by its troubling statistics. With the eighth-worst legal discrimination score among all countries featured in the index, Indonesia faces systemic barriers to gender equality within its legal framework.

25. The Philippines: you won't be completely safe

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The Philippines faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality and ensuring the safety and security of women, as highlighted by its troubling statistics. With an eighth-worst gender inequality index score of 0.427, the country grapples with systemic disparities between men and women.

26. Bulgaria: not the worst, but still problematic

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Bulgaria presents a complex picture regarding gender-based violence, particularly concerning intentional homicide of women. While the danger grade for "intentional homicide of women" stands at 0-25, indicating a relatively lower risk in this specific category, the country exhibits greater danger grades in all other categories.

27. Budapest: other European spots are safer for solo travel

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While Budapest remains a popular tourist destination, traveling alone as a woman in Hungary may present safety concerns compared to other European countries. Despite its allure as a vibrant cultural hub with stunning architecture and rich history, Hungary, like many destinations, requires careful consideration for solo female travelers.

28. Belgium: better to go with someone else

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Belgium receives less-than-stellar danger ratings across various categories, including "safe to walk alone at night," "intimate partner violence," and "global gender gap." While Belgium is renowned for its picturesque cities, rich history, and cultural heritage, these ratings suggest that challenges persist regarding women's safety and gender equality.

29. Australia: overall, it's safe, but...

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Traveling alone in Australia, often referred to as "Down Under," is not particularly dangerous for women. However, the country does have a higher than 50 danger rating for three categories, suggesting that certain safety concerns still exist. Despite its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination, particularly for solo travelers, Australia, like any other country, requires vigilance and awareness of potential risks.

30. South Korea: caution is needed when walking alone at night

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Women in South Korea should exercise caution when walking alone at night. While South Korea boasts a rich cultural heritage, bustling cities, and modern infrastructure, safety concerns persist, particularly for women navigating urban environments after dark.

31. Japan: reports of s*xual violence

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Japan faces significant challenges regarding sexual violence and gender pay disparity, as indicated by its troubling statistics. With 12% of women reporting experiencing sexual violence by someone who is not their partner, Japan ranks eighth worst in this category, highlighting the prevalence of such violence within the society.

32. So which spots are the safest for women? Greece is a welcoming country

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Greece, a country steeped in ancient Greek mythology where revered female deities such as Aphrodite and Athena hold prominent places. While only 19% of Greek women report experiencing violence, with a mere 2% of the public believing in justifying such actions.

33. Latvia: most women feel safe walking at night

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Latvia stands out on this list concerning violence against women, with 32% of Latvian women reporting encounters with some form of violence. Despite this concerning statistic, over half of the female population feels safe walking at night, and Latvia maintains a safety index score exceeding 60 out of 100.

34. Canada: it has strong laws regarding women's safety

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Canada proudly boasts impressive statistics and a commitment to gender equality. As the second-largest country globally, Canada stands out with its remarkably low rates of crimes against women, with only 1.9% of the female population reported to have experienced violence.

35. Finland: the happiest country in the world

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For the past six consecutive years, Finland has earned the prestigious title of the happiest country in the world, a testament to its exceptional quality of life. This remarkable achievement is attributed to various factors, including freedom of choice, high life expectancy, equitable income distribution, and a culture of generosity.

36. Estonia: low crime rate

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Estonia emerges as one of the smallest yet notable countries in Europe, boasting a population of just 1.3 million people. Renowned for its low crime rate and high standard of living, Estonia offers a safe and prosperous environment for its residents.

37. Lithuania: a gender-equal country

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Lithuania's unique distinction as the only country in the world with its own national perfume adds a touch of charm to its inclusion in our study. Renowned for its fragrance, which undoubtedly adds to its allure, Lithuania also stands out for its commendable gender equality efforts.

38. Slovakia: it's made empowerment moves

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Slovakia has taken significant strides towards women's empowerment, with the 2020 elections witnessing a record number of female representatives securing seats in the National Council. Despite this progress, challenges persist, with 23% of the female population having experienced violence.

39. Czech Republic: a high safety score

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We find a country where women are celebrated for their passion for music and remarkable athletic abilities. With an overall safety index score nearing 75 out of 100, coupled with a commendable 60% of women feeling secure walking alone at night, this nation prioritizes the safety and well-being of its citizens.

40. Poland: the perfect solo travel spot

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Poland emerges with impressive statistics that defy expectations for a country with a population exceeding 37 million. Remarkably, only 13% of Polish women report having experienced violence, a testament to the nation's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.

41. Republic of Ireland: 99% of the public are against female violence

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Ireland emerges as a standout destination for women's safety, earning maximum points in our study and presenting a compelling case for its reputation as a secure and welcoming country. With only 15% of Irish women having experienced violence, coupled with a low female homicide rate, Ireland demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.

42. Denmark: a happy and safe culture

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Denmark's reputation as one of the happiest countries in the world is not without merit, as evidenced by its consistent high rankings and recent second-place achievement. The country's vibrant and contented culture contributes to a remarkably safe environment, with an impressive 85% of Danish women feeling secure walking alone at night.

43. Netherlands: a high safety index score

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The Netherlands stands out as not only one of the happiest countries worldwide, ranking 5th in the happiness index, but also as one of the safest for women. With an impressive safety index score exceeding 72 out of 100, and a significant 73% of women feeling secure walking alone at night, the Netherlands demonstrates a strong commitment.

44. Switzerland: enjoy chocolate while walking alone at night

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Switzerland emerges as a haven not just for chocolate lovers, but also for those seeking safety and happiness. Renowned for its thriving economy and ranking as one of the world's wealthiest nations, Switzerland boasts an impressive life expectancy of 84.25 years, placing it among the top 5 countries globally.

45. Norway: it's happy as well as gender-equal

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Norway continues to impress with its remarkable rankings across various indices. As the 3rd most gender-equal country and the 7th happiest country globally, Norway sets a high standard for societal well-being and equality. With an impressive safety record to match.

46. Austria: firm laws against domestic violence

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This country's commitment to combating domestic violence is reflected in its robust laws, with only 13% of Austrian women having experienced abuse. Boasting an impressive safety index score nearing 74 out of 100, Austria maintains a remarkably low overall crime rate.

47. Slovenia: it celebrates International Women's Day

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This picturesque outdoor haven stands out as one of the few countries worldwide to commemorate International Women's Day with a National Holiday, underscoring its commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. With nearly 80% of women feeling secure walking alone at night, Slovenia fosters a sense of safety.

48. Taiwan: a huge percent of women feel safe at night

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As the top country in Asia for gender equality, Taiwan sets a high standard for the region. Taiwanese women boast an impressive literacy rate exceeding 95%, alongside one of the highest life expectancies globally, averaging at 84 years. Despite its status as one of the most densely populated countries globally, an astounding 85% of women feel at ease.

49. Oman: focus on women's rights and education

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With one of the lowest female homicide rates globally and a crime index score of under 20, categorized as 'very low,' Oman emerges as a paragon of safety and security. Encouragingly, Omani women are empowered to pursue higher education, surpassing men in enrollment at higher education institutions.

50. Staying safe when traveling as a woman

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As with any location, safety is very much dependent on wise choices when traveling as a woman, and traveling alone at that. While many places on this list are best avoided, safe travel planning and avoiding going out alone at night will help for feeling safe and visiting new places.