In Pictures: What makes these countries the world’s safest?

#1 ICELAND | It has been a year and some since the ‘Corana saga’ was inflicted upon the world. Ever since, our travel plans have been put on hold due to various uncertainties, varying from countries keeping its boarders shut to the number of COVID-19 cases being reported. Plus, there is all that talk about second and third waves.

#2 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | In Global Finance's latest report on safest countries in the world, each country’s experience and risk from COVID-19 have also been factored in. The safety score for countries are decided by three factors: war and peace, personal security, and natural disaster risk, including the unique risk factors stemming from COVID-19. Each of these was based on 2020 reports that were done in 2021.

#3 QATAR | The pandemic has replaced many of the usual rankings and dynamics that differentiate developed and developing countries. Many European countries that usually perform very well and often land in the Top 20 suffered high COVID-19 deaths, which brought them down in these rankings.

#4 SINGAPORE | In being ranked second in the world, the UAE topped for putting its people first. It made sure everyone adhered to the rules on safety and health protocols at all times, and the country ranks first in effecting COVID-19 vaccine doses, which have crossed 15.5 million doses so far. As of July 6, a whopping 74.5 per cent of the population has received at least one dose while 64.3 per cent are fully vaccinated. The UAE also tests more people per capita than most nations and which shows in having one of the lowest fatality rates in the world.

#5 FINLAND | Portugal (29), Spain (41), Slovenia (47), and Belgium (66) had some of the highest COVID-19 death rates in the world. They were previously ranked in the Top 20 list of safest countries. The trend continues for the US (71) and Argentina (98), which scored well in other categories but were unable to prevent widespread COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths.

#6 MONGOLIA | Laos (32), Vietnam (49) and Cambodia (80) as well as Uganda (81) and Rwanda (37) recorded lower death rates, which is why they improved their safety rankings compared to previous years. However, these countries have much higher risks in terms of military conflicts, incidence of crime, and general danger to the population.

#7 NORWAY | COVID-19 challenged the conventional wisdom about the safety of any given country. Comparing the wealth and infrastructure, developed nations were well ahead compared to developing when it came to combatting the coronavirus. Yet, what we have seen is that economic powers such as the US, France and the UK and regional powerhouses like Brazil and India becoming epicenters of the pandemic.

#8 DENMARK | Interestingly, countries battling civil conflicts and prone to high risks from natural disasters such as the Philippines, Nigeria, Yemen, and El Salvador all reported relatively low death tolls from COVID-19. Yet, they performed poorly in terms of safety overall.

#9 CANADA | While the Global Finance’s findings rely on fundamental factors, the COVID-19 death toll and vaccination rates are based on self-reporting by governments.

#10 NEW ZEALAND | The pandemic has narrowed the focus to ‘what government does to protect its people’. The narrative around economy versus life matters too, was trending. More than a year after the pandemic, that debate is still raging.