New Studies Show Switzerland As World’s Safest Expat Destination

As the political world becomes more and more unstable, expats considering relocation are concentrating on countries regarded as safe, secure and likely to stay that way.

It’s not just political instability which threatens expat prospects and even their lives, as worldwide crime rates are on the upswing, terrorism is affecting countries worldwide and infectious diseases are running rampant in many areas of the planet. The risks of travel, both in the home country and overseas, are higher now than ever before, and are affecting expat professionals’ choices as regards reassignment.

International SOS’s recently-issued Travel Risk Map should be essential reading for any professional looking to relocate, as even first world countries are now targets for everything from terrorist attacks through increased street crime to road rage and the upswing of devastating, global warming-spurred climate events. The survey shows the safest as well as the most dangerous locations for expats on a worldwide basis, with Switzerland scoring top marks as regards safety and security.

Obviously, Europe in general shows as low risk, with the exception of Russia and eastern Ukraine, but Switzerland’s top ranking in all the risk categories is no surprise. The small, mountainous country has long been a favourite expat destination and is now considered especially secure for foreigners living and working in its region. Another worldwide safety study saw it take second place out of 128 nations surveyed on the basis of war, terrorism and crime, with an Encyclopaedia.com study also agreeing as regards overall safety and crime rates.

Other countries well regarded for their security and safety are Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia and, oddly enough, the USA, but the majority of developing Asian states as well as Africa are decidedly unsafe for incomers and travellers. Slovenia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Finland and Denmark are also highly rated as regards safety and security, and have been placed in the low risk category as a result. Nowadays, as living and working overseas has become an everyday experience, expats need to take their personal safety seriously when accepting new assignments.