The Safest Cities in the World in 2026

Safety is one of the most important factors when choosing a city to visit, live in, or do business in. According to Numbeo’s 2026 Crime and Safety Index, several Asian and Middle Eastern cities stand out for their exceptionally high levels of perceived safety.

The Safety Index is based on user-contributed data and reflects perceptions of crime and safety rather than official crime statistics.

At the top of the list is Doha, Qatar, with a Safety Index of 85. The Qatari capital is followed closely by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which scores 84. Both cities are known for modern infrastructure, extensive security measures, and relatively low levels of conventional street crime.

Taipei, Taiwan, ranks third with a score of 83. The city combines a highly developed public transportation system with a reputation for being safe and convenient for residents and visitors.

Hong Kong and Singapore share the same score, each recording a Safety Index of 78. Their strong public infrastructure, dense urban environments, and effective law enforcement contribute to their high safety ratings.

Further down the ranking, Tokyo, Japan, and Shenzhen, China, both score 76. Tokyo's reputation for orderly public spaces and low levels of street crime makes it one of the world's safest major capitals, while Shenzhen's rapid development and modern urban infrastructure have helped establish it as a secure global city.

The remaining cities on the list are all in Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Riyadh and Jeddah each receive a Safety Index of 75, placing them alongside Seoul, South Korea, which also scores 75. These cities demonstrate that high perceived safety is not limited to smaller or less densely populated urban areas.

Overall, the 2026 rankings reveal a striking concentration of highly rated cities in Asia and the Middle East. From the Gulf's modern metropolises to East Asia's technologically advanced urban centers, these destinations offer residents and travelers a strong sense of security.

While Numbeo's rankings should not be interpreted as a definitive measure of actual crime rates, they provide a useful snapshot of how people perceive safety in cities around the world. With scores ranging from 75 to 85, these ten cities clearly stand among the world's leading destinations for those who place safety high on their list of priorities.