Travel safely in 2025: These countries are extremely risky!

Travel safely in 2025: These countries are extremely risky!

On May 21, 2025, International SOS published the latest “Risk Map,” which provides a comprehensive overview of security risks in different countries. This map, which has a critical impact on traveler safety, assesses risks worldwide while remaining consistent year-over-year. No reductions in security risk ratings were noted, indicating a tense global security situation. The classifications are in five categories: extremely high risk (dark red), high risk (red), medium risk (orange), low risk (yellow) and negligible risk (green). Travel reporter reports.

A detailed analysis of the risk classifications shows that numerous countries are considered extremely risky. These include Libya, Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. Interestingly, the Gaza Strip is classified as orange, i.e. medium risk, even though it is considered extremely risky. A comparison of risk analyzes shows that almost 50 countries are classified as high risk, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan and Venezuela. In these regions, social unrest and conflict in urban areas are increasingly noticeable Secupedia informs.

Development of risk classifications

The risk classifications were made taking into account critical aspects such as geopolitical tensions, crime rates, transport and security infrastructure and natural disasters. It is important to note that countries such as Sudan and Lebanon have received a higher risk rating due to newly flared conflicts. In South Africa, Mexico and Kenya, rising crime is leading to adjustments in risk ratings, while some countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Laos have seen a reduction in risk, indicating a decline in military activity.

A worrying aspect is the health risks that are increasingly being taken into account in the assessment. Bolivia has been upgraded from Medium to High due to increasing health risks, and Libya has seen a downgrade from Extreme to High. Medical risks are remarkably high in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, further exacerbating travel warnings. Climate-related risks are also increasing, particularly in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic, where natural disasters have devastating impacts on populations.

The safest travel destinations

Despite the global challenges, there are also safe travel destinations. The ten countries with insignificant risks are:

• Andorra
• Dänemark
• Finnland
• Grönland
• Island
• Liechtenstein
• Luxemburg
• Norwegen
• Schweiz
• Slowenien

Almost all of Europe, as well as some African states and countries in Oceania and Asia, fall into the low-risk category. The Regional Security Manager for Germany and Austria, Wolfgang Hofmann, emphasizes the need to support local companies with constantly updated information. It is particularly emphasized that the current “Risk Map” not only offers risk classifications, but also provides detailed data on around 1,000 cities and their specific risk situations.

Given the challenges and increased global risks, 65 percent of risk managers surveyed are seeing an increase in possible geopolitical tensions. It is expected that 69 percent of companies will have to be responsible for significant geopolitical impacts by 2025. At the same time, 78 percent expect an increase in burnout and stress in the world of work. This shows the urgency for companies to use data-driven analytics to ensure the safety of their employees and fulfill their duty of care.