2025 Travel Risk Map

Map created by A3M Global Monitoring GmbH, click here for a very high res version of the map.The map above shows global travel risks for 2025. It was created by A3M, a German company specializing in travel security solutions.

The map highlights the risk levels in different regions around the world, providing an overview of travel security risks.

Here are the key details:

How they come up with their ratings?

They looked at:

Entry and exit, transport (plane / air transport, long-distance public transport, local public transport, taxis, cars / rental cars, other means of transport), strike, infrastructure (money, telephone / mobile communications, internet, electricity), health (vaccinations, infection risks, hygiene, health care), natural hazards and the environment, security (crime, demonstrations/unrest, terrorism, armed conflict), economic security (corruption, industrial espionage) and special risks (cultural characteristics, LGBTQ, female travelers, criminal law characteristics and other risks).

Color Legend:

• Green: Very Low Risk
• Light Green: Low Risk
• Yellow: Elevated Risk
• Orange: High Risk
• Red: Very High Risk

More on

1. Regions with Very Low Risk (Green):
   • Canada, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Switzerland and Greenland (?).
2. Regions with Low Risk (Light Green):
   • United States, most of Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and some parts of Eastern Europe, parts of South America (e.g., Argentina), and parts of East Asia (e.g., Japan).
3. Regions with Elevated Risk (Yellow):
   • Parts of Central America, South America, North Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia.
4. Regions with High Risk (Orange):
   • Certain areas in Central America, parts of Africa, Middle East, and parts of South Asia.
5. Regions with Very High Risk (Red):
   • Countries in Central and North Africa, parts of the Middle East, and some regions in South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan).

For many countries it’s obvious why they are considered very high risk. E.g. the ongoing Wars in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza.

However, for some other countries the choices are slightly baffling.

For example, why is Japan not rated Very Low Risk, when it has one of the world’s lowest overall crime rates?

And why is Brazil as a whole rated as Elevated Risk when it’s crime rate is on-par with Nigeria (Elevated to Very High-risk) and 3 times worse than next-door Chile which gets the same rating.

The Top 5 improved countries over 2024 were:

1. Argentina
2. Armenia
3. Azerbaijan
4. Kosovo
5. Moldova

And the 5 that decreased the most were:

1. Bolivia
2. Haiti
3. Iran
4. Lebanon
5. Mexico

High-Risk (Orange) Countries and Possible Reasons:

Countries categorized as “high risk” on the map are considered to be so due to various factors that contribute to an increased level of danger for travelers.

These factors can include political instability, high crime rates, terrorism, armed conflicts, civil unrest, poor infrastructure, and natural disasters.

Based on the map, here are some examples of high-risk countries and possible reasons for their classification:

1. Mexico:
   • Reason: High crime rates, particularly related to drug cartels and violence in certain regions, as well as kidnappings and organized crime.
2. Colombia:
   • Reason: While Colombia has made significant progress, certain areas still face issues with armed groups, drug trafficking, and related violence.
3. Nigeria:
   • Reason: Terrorism, particularly from groups like Boko Haram in the northeast, high crime rates, kidnappings, and communal violence in various regions.
4. Somalia:
   • Reason: Armed conflict, terrorism from groups like Al-Shabaab, piracy, and a lack of effective government control in many areas.
5. Yemen:
   • Reason: Ongoing civil war, severe humanitarian crisis, widespread violence, and presence of terrorist groups.
6. Pakistan:
   • Reason: Terrorism, political instability, sectarian violence, and ongoing conflicts in certain regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
7. Philippines (certain regions):
   • Reason: Presence of insurgent groups, terrorism, kidnappings, and clashes between armed groups and government forces in areas like Mindanao.

Factors Contributing to High Risk:

• Political Instability: Countries with unstable governments or ongoing power struggles are prone to violence and civil unrest.
• Terrorism: The presence and activities of terrorist organizations create significant threats to safety.
• Crime: High levels of violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
• Armed Conflict: Ongoing wars or conflicts involving government forces, insurgents, or foreign military intervention.
• Civil Unrest: Frequent protests, strikes, and demonstrations that can turn violent.
• Infrastructure Issues: Poor infrastructure can exacerbate the effects of natural disasters and hinder effective response and recovery.
• Natural Disasters: Regions prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or other natural disasters may have higher risk levels due to the impact on safety and security.

Very High-Risk Countries (Red) and Possible Reasons:

1. Afghanistan:
   • Reason: Ongoing conflict involving the Taliban and other militant groups, terrorism, frequent attacks on civilians and foreign nationals, severe political instability, and a humanitarian crisis.
2. Syria:
   • Reason: Civil war, widespread violence, terrorism, severe destruction of infrastructure, and a significant humanitarian crisis affecting large parts of the population.
3. South Sudan:
   • Reason: Ongoing civil conflict, inter-ethnic violence, high levels of crime, and a severe humanitarian crisis with widespread displacement and food insecurity.
4. Somalia:
   • Reason: Chronic instability, ongoing conflict involving militant groups like Al-Shabaab, terrorism, piracy, and lack of effective governance.
5. Yemen:
   • Reason: Civil war, severe humanitarian crisis, widespread violence, terrorism, and frequent attacks on civilians and infrastructure.
6. Libya:
   • Reason: Ongoing conflict between rival factions, terrorism, widespread violence, lawlessness, and a lack of effective central government.
7. Mali:
   • Reason: Insurgency and terrorism, particularly in the northern and central regions, political instability, and frequent attacks on both military and civilian targets.
8. Central African Republic (CAR):
   • Reason: Ongoing armed conflict involving multiple armed groups, high levels of violence, political instability, and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Factors Contributing to Very High Risk:

• Armed Conflict: Ongoing wars or armed conflicts involving government forces, insurgents, militias, or foreign military intervention, resulting in widespread violence and insecurity.
• Terrorism: The presence of and frequent attacks by terrorist groups targeting civilians, government institutions, and foreign nationals.
• Political Instability: Extreme political instability, including power struggles, coups, and lack of effective governance.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Severe humanitarian crises, including famine, displacement of large populations, and lack of access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare.
• Lawlessness: Pervasive lawlessness and lack of effective law enforcement, leading to high levels of crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and violent crime.
• Infrastructure Destruction: Significant destruction of infrastructure, hindering effective response and recovery efforts, and contributing to unsafe conditions for residents and travelers.

What do you think about their ratings? Leave your comments below: