Top 10 Cities with the Lowest Crime Rate in the World (2026)

Published on WorldRankopedia.com

Imagine walking home at midnight without glancing over your shoulder. No nervous scanning of shadows, no clutching your bag a little tighter. For millions of people living in the world’s safest cities, that’s not a fantasy — it’s just Tuesday night.

Safety is one of those things we tend to take for granted until we don’t have it. Whether you’re planning to relocate, travel abroad, or simply curious about how the world compares, knowing which cities have the lowest crime rates can be genuinely life-changing information. So we’ve done the research. Based on data from Numbeo’s 2025 Crime and Safety Index and CEOWORLD magazine’s global city rankings — which together evaluated hundreds of cities across the globe — here are the Top 10 Cities with the Lowest Crime Rates in the world.

1. Abu Dhabi, UAE — The World’s Safest City (9 Years Running)

Let’s start with the undisputed champion. Abu Dhabi has held the title of the world’s safest city for nine consecutive years, and its 2025 performance makes it clear why. With a crime index score of just 11.6 (out of 100, where lower means safer) and a safety index of 88.4, the UAE capital is in a league of its own.

What’s the secret? A combination of advanced AI-driven surveillance, a proactive community policing model, and a deeply invested law enforcement apparatus that doesn’t just respond to crime — it works to prevent it. The Abu Dhabi Police’s Civil Defence Safety Patrol and smart technology rollouts have turned the city into a model of modern urban security. For residents, expats, and tourists alike, Abu Dhabi offers something that can’t be overstated: genuine peace of mind.

2. Doha, Qatar

Doha isn’t just a gleaming skyline and a host city for global sporting events — it’s also one of the safest places on the planet. With a safety index of 84.1 and a crime index of 15.9, Qatar’s capital earns its place near the top of every major safety ranking.

The city benefits from strong political stability, a well-funded police force, and a social structure that emphasizes public order. Expatriates make up a huge portion of Doha’s population, and the government has worked hard to ensure they feel as secure as citizens do.

3. Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei surprises a lot of people on this list. It’s a busy, densely populated city of over 2.5 million — not the type of place you’d typically associate with near-zero crime. And yet, Taipei consistently records among the lowest crime rates of any major Asian city, with a crime index score of around 16.5.

The city’s safety culture is deeply tied to its social norms. Community trust, mutual respect among residents, and a highly effective police infrastructure all play a role. Taipei also has excellent street lighting, a reliable public transport system, and a general civic culture where people genuinely look out for one another. Travelers who visit are often struck by how comfortable they feel exploring the city at all hours.

4. Dubai, UAE

Yes, that Dubai. Beyond the supercars and luxury hotels, Dubai is also one of the safest cities on Earth, sharing a crime index score of around 16.1–16.2 with Taipei. The Dubai Police Force is internationally recognized for its efficiency, transparency, and forward-thinking approach — including being among the first law enforcement agencies in the region to adopt DNA testing and electronic fingerprint technology.

Dubai’s strict legal framework acts as a strong deterrent, and the city’s investments in security infrastructure are extraordinary. It’s a city that has managed to be both wildly cosmopolitan and remarkably secure at the same time.

5. Sharjah, UAE

Three UAE cities in the top five — that’s not a coincidence, it’s a national policy achievement. Sharjah rounds out the UAE’s incredible showing with a safety index of 83.7 and a crime index of 16.3. As the UAE’s cultural capital, Sharjah blends tradition with modernity in its approach to public safety, and the results speak for themselves.

6. Ajman, UAE

Ajman, one of the smaller emirates, might be less globally recognized than Abu Dhabi or Dubai, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to safety. With a crime index score of around 14.5 in recent mid-year rankings, it actually rivals Abu Dhabi for the lowest crime figures in the world. Ajman’s tight-knit community atmosphere and coordinated law enforcement make it one of the quietest, most secure cities anywhere.

7. Muscat, Oman

Stepping outside the UAE, Muscat offers a similarly tranquil experience. The capital of Oman has long been regarded as one of the Middle East’s most serene cities, and its safety index of around 79.5–81.2 backs that up. Oman’s political stability, low unemployment, and strong social cohesion create conditions where crime simply has very little room to flourish.

8. The Hague, Netherlands

Europe enters the list with The Hague — the city of international justice and, fittingly, some of the continent’s most robust public safety records. Home to the International Criminal Court and numerous global institutions, The Hague maintains a safety index of around 80 and is consistently ranked among Europe’s safest urban environments. It’s a city where diplomats, families, and students all coexist in a remarkably secure atmosphere.

9. Bern, Switzerland

Switzerland’s capital is calm in the way only Switzerland can be — quietly, thoroughly, and almost boringly excellent. Bern’s low crime rate is the product of strong social trust, quality public services, and economic stability that removes many of the root conditions that lead to crime in the first place. It’s a small capital by global standards, but a gold standard for safety.

10. Taipei (Ras Al-Khaimah / Tampere, Finland)

Rounding out the list — depending on which index you consult — are cities like Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE), completing the country’s remarkable five-city presence in the global top ten, and Tampere, Finland, which represents the Nordic region’s tradition of exceptionally safe, well-governed cities. Finland consistently tops global happiness and governance rankings, and Tampere reflects that in its quietly exceptional public safety record.

What Makes a City Safe?

Looking at this list, a few patterns stand out. The safest cities tend to share:

Strong, accountable law enforcement with community trust baked in
Political stability and effective governance
High quality of life that reduces inequality and social tension
Investment in technology — from smart surveillance to rapid emergency response
Social cohesion — people who feel connected to their communities are less likely to commit crimes and more likely to report them

Safety isn’t just the absence of crime. It’s the presence of systems — both official and social — that make people feel seen, protected, and valued.

Final Thoughts

The cities on this list aren’t safe by accident. They’re safe because governments, law enforcement agencies, and communities have made deliberate choices to prioritize public well-being. For anyone considering where to live, work, or travel next, these cities offer something that no five-star hotel or scenic view can replace: the simple freedom of feeling safe.

Which city surprised you the most on this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and share this article with anyone planning their next move or adventure.