When it comes to travelling abroad there are some countries that most people would automatically avoid due to various reasons such as ongoing conflict, criminal activity, political instability and risks of terrorism. However, with Europe being a popular tourist destination for people worldwide, many would consider the continent as a whole safe.
Now, World Population Review has revealed Europe’s most dangerous countries according to their Global Peace Index (GPI) score and three beautiful destinations loved by UK holidaymakers have made the top 10.
The GPI, which identifies the level of safety in a country, is calculated using 23 indicators, including the rate of violent crime, a country’s relationship with its neighbours, whether it is at war, how often terrorist attacks occur, and the stability of the government.
Countries are then given a score between one and five, and the higher the score, the more dangerous the country is. Ukraine was placed at number one with a score of 3.280.
The page highlighted that despite once being “a beautiful country with a lot to offer,” Russia’s invasion has caused the country to become an active war zone.
In contrast, Cyprus, a country island known for its stunning clear blue waters, golden sandy beaches, and vibrant culture, ranked fourth place. The Mediterranean destination, loved by Brits who make up the majority of the holidaymakers that visit, scored 2.101 and was followed by another popular hotspot.
Despite being the world’s most visited country, France was named the fifth-most dangerous country in Europe, with a score of 2.088. While it is generally considered safe for travellers, the Foreign Office does warn that “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks” and urges people to stay “vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.”
Greece also made the list, at the tenth spot, with a score of 1.793. Similar to France it is still safe for tourists. However, warnings from the UK government include the polictial protests as a result of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and a “likely” attempt of attacks by terrorists.
Full List of Europe’s 10 most dangerous countries:
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Belarus
- Cyprus
- France
- Moldova
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Serbia
- Albania
- Greece
