131 Countries Are Statistically Safer Than the U.S. Right Now — Here's What Every Woman Traveler Needs to Know

Before you let fear make your travel decisions, read this.

Most women who hesitate to travel internationally — whether alone or with their kids — aren't doing so because of something that actually happened to them. They're doing it because of an algorithm, a news cycle, or a well-meaning relative who's never left the country. The message has been the same for years: out there is dangerous. Stay home where it's safe.

But what if the data tells a completely different story?

What if staying home is actually the statistically riskier choice?

That's exactly what we're unpacking in this article. We're going to look at what the Global Peace Index actually says about safety around the world, what American women are really experiencing at home, and how to travel internationally with total confidence — whether you're going solo or bringing the whole family.

And at the end, you can grab our free Women's International Travel Safety Checklist — everything you need in one place before, during, and after your trip.

Quick Take:
The data shows that many popular international destinations are statistically safer than the United States. By understanding global safety rankings, enrolling in government travel programs, and using built-in credit card travel protections, women can travel internationally with confidence and practical safeguards.

Let's get into it.

The Statistic That Changes Everything

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is the world's leading measurement of how safe and peaceful a country actually is. Produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, it ranks 163 countries representing 99.7% of the world's population across 23 indicators in three domains: ongoing conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization.

The United States currently ranks #132 out of 163 countries.

That means 131 countries are statistically safer than the U.S. right now.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The U.S. ranks below Brazil (#112), India (#116), China (#88), and Indonesia (#48). It earns that ranking because of its high homicide rates, extreme levels of gun violence, political instability, and the highest incarceration rate in the entire world.

And here's the part that makes this ranking even more striking: the GPI doesn't even include violence against women as a scoring category. Which means for female travelers specifically, the U.S. picture is likely worse than the index suggests.

What's Actually Happening to Women in America

Before we talk about traveling abroad, we need to have an honest conversation about what the data says is happening to women here at home — because the fear of international travel is almost always rooted in the assumption that "here" is safe.

Here's what the research actually shows:

• 82% of women in the United States have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. (Tulane University & NewCom Institute, survey of 3,300 women, 2024)
• 73% of those cases occurred in public.
• 45% of American women have experienced contact sexual assault. (CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2023–24)
• 1 in 5 women first experienced sexual harassment before the age of 13.
• 45% of women in America fear leaving their homes after dark and avoid walking alone at night.
• Of every 1,000 sexual assaults, only 310 are reported to police. Of those, only 25 lead to incarceration. That means 98% of perpetrators are never held accountable. (RAINN / U.S. Department of Justice)
• There has been zero change in prevalence or legal protections since 2018.

These statistics are not shared to be alarming. They're shared because this is the baseline we're comparing to when we worry about international travel — and it deserves to be named clearly.

The fear you've been carrying about traveling "out there"? The data says it's been pointed in the wrong direction.

How the Global Peace Index Actually Works

Understanding how the GPI calculates its scores helps you use it as a real travel planning tool — not just a talking point.

The index scores every country across three domains:

Domain 1: Ongoing Conflict This covers internal and external organized conflict, relations with neighboring countries, and the number and duration of internal conflicts.

Domain 2: Societal Safety & Security (60% of the internal peace score) This is the domain most relevant to travelers. It includes:

• Level of violent crime
• Homicides per 100,000 people
• Violent demonstrations
• Incarceration rate (the U.S. leads the entire world)
• Political terror scale and political instability
• Ease of access to firearms and gun-related deaths
• Percentage of refugees and internally displaced people

Domain 3: Militarization (40% weight — external peace) This measures how much a government prioritizes military spending over its people — weapons imports and exports, armed services personnel per 100,000, and military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.

Each category is scored on a scale of 1 to 5. You can explore the full interactive map and current rankings at visionofhumanity.org — worth bookmarking as a travel planning resource.

The 12 Safest Countries in the World Right Now

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, here are the world's most peaceful countries. Nine of the top twelve are in Europe.

If your travel vision board includes any of these countries — and it probably does — the data is telling you to go.

✨ Get the Free Women's International Travel Safety Checklist

Before we go further, this is a good moment to pause.

Everything we're covering in this article — emergency numbers by country, government programs, credit card protections, on-the-ground safety tips — is compiled into a free downloadable PDF you can take with you on every trip.

👉 Grab the free checklist here — no fluff, just everything you need.

It includes:

• Emergency numbers for every major travel region
• How to enroll in the free STEP government program (takes 5 minutes, protects your whole family)
• The credit card travel protections most women don't know they have
• A full pre-trip, arrival, and on-the-ground safety checklist
• Tips for traveling safely with kids internationally

Drop your email below and it goes straight to your inbox. ⬇️

Free Government Programs That Protect You Abroad

Most American travelers have no idea these programs exist. Here are the two that matter most.

The STEP Program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

STEP is a free program run by the U.S. State Department that takes about five minutes to set up. You enroll your entire family under one account, and if a political crisis, natural disaster, or emergency occurs in the country you're visiting, the government can contact you — before you even know something is happening.

Enrollment is at step.state.gov and there is genuinely no reason not to do this before every international trip.

The U.S. Embassy Locator

Before you travel anywhere, look up the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you lose your passport, find yourself in a difficult situation, or need emergency assistance, that's where you go. Find every location at usembassy.gov.

The Credit Card Protections Sitting in Your Wallet

Your travel rewards credit cards likely come with a serious safety net you've never used — and knowing about it before you travel can save you thousands of dollars.

Rental Car Insurance

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, Lisa showed up at the rental counter to find out the car required $3,000 in local insurance— payable on the spot. Because she had the Chase Sapphire Reserve, she was able to show proof of her card's primary auto coverage and avoid that cost entirely. This is not unusual. Many countries require additional local insurance that your card may already cover. Always verify before you rent.

Trip Cancellation & Delay Coverage

• Chase Sapphire Preferred & Reserve: Up to $20,000 per trip / $10,000 per person
• Capital One Venture X: Up to $2,000 in trip cancellation coverage
• Amex Gold & Capital One Venture: $300 trip delay insurance if your flight is delayed 12+ hours

Lost Luggage

• Capital One Venture X & Chase Sapphire: Up to $3,000 per traveler
• Amex Gold & Platinum: $1,250 for carry-on, $500 for checked bag

Emergency Medical Abroad

• Capital One Venture X: Emergency medical coverage included
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Up to $2,500 in emergency medical coverage

24/7 Global Assist Hotline

The Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, Capital One Venture X, Amex Gold, and Amex Platinum all include a 24/7 Global Assist hotline. More than 100 miles from home and facing a medical emergency, legal issue, or financial crisis? That's what this is for. None of these cards charge foreign transaction fees.

Global Entry: How to Get It Free

Global Entry gives you pre-screened, expedited re-entry into the U.S. — shorter lines, less stress, and it includes TSA Pre-Check automatically. The $120 application fee is reimbursed entirely by several travel rewards cards:

• Capital One Venture & Venture X
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Business Platinum
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum & Reserve

When you apply, all minor children automatically enroll under your account at no extra charge. Valid for five years.

Your Safety Checklist: Before You Leave

(Full printable version available in the free PDF — grab it below)

Before you leave:

• ☐ Enroll in STEP at step.state.gov
• ☐ Save the local emergency number for every country on your itinerary
• ☐ Look up the nearest U.S. Embassy at usembassy.gov
• ☐ Share your full itinerary with someone at home
• ☐ Make digital and physical copies of your passport and documents
• ☐ Download offline Google Maps for every city you're visiting
• ☐ Pre-arrange airport transportation
• ☐ Verify your credit card's rental car, medical, and trip coverage
• ☐ Apply for Global Entry if you haven't already

Emergency numbers to save:

• Most of Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy): 112
• United Kingdom: 999 (also accepts 112)
• Canada & Mexico: 911
• Australia: 000 | New Zealand: 111
• Japan: 110 (police) / 119 (ambulance)

Safety Tips Once You Arrive

Transportation:

• Use app-based rides over hailing taxis — they have ratings, safety features, and live location sharing
• Sit directly behind the driver
• Set your preference to "quiet ride" so you control whether conversation happens

Your hotel:

• Stay somewhere with a 24-hour front desk, especially for solo travel or night arrivals
• Always use the deadbolt and door chain when inside
• A rubber door stopper takes up almost no space and adds a meaningful extra layer of security
• Filter hotel reviews specifically for solo women travelers on TripAdvisor and Expedia

While exploring:

• Keep your phone charged — carry a small portable power bank
• If you need help, approach a woman, ideally one with kids
• Step into a shop or café to regroup if you feel lost rather than standing on the street
• Enable Emergency SOS on your iPhone: 5 rapid presses of the side button calls local emergency services automatically

Traveling Internationally With Kids

• Set a meeting point at every destination — hotel lobby, a specific fountain, wherever. Every family member knows: if we get separated, we go here.
• For younger kids: put a card in their pocket with the hotel name, address, and the local emergency number.
• For kids with phones: set up location sharing through Apple's Find My or Google Family Link before you leave home.
• Global Entry: minor children automatically enroll under your account — no extra cost.
• Teach the local emergency number before you land.

The Two-Card System That Funds It All

One of the most common objections to international travel isn't fear — it's cost. And that's exactly why HerTravel.Club exists.

The average American family is already earning enough in credit card rewards through normal everyday spending to fund significant international travel. The foundation is simple: the Amex Gold Card + the Capital One Venture Card, paired with Rakuten for cash back and Amex points on every online purchase.

You don't need to churn cards. You don't need a complex system. You need two cards and a portal — and you're already most of the way there.

Watch the full series to see exactly how it works:

• 📺 Video 1: What Is Reward Travel + The Best Cards to Start
• 📺 Video 2: How Much the Average American Family Should Earn in Points
• 📺 Video 3: 3 Family Vacations Fully Covered in Points

The Bottom Line

The world is not as dangerous as the algorithm wants you to believe.

The United States ranks #132 out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index. Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, New Zealand, and 125 other countries are statistically safer destinations for you and your family than your own backyard.

The feelings you have — the hesitation, the worry, the what-ifs — are valid. But they deserve to be informed by actual data. And when you look at the actual data, it points clearly toward one thing: you should go.

Start with the checklist. It's free, it's comprehensive, and it will give you the confidence to plan your next trip knowing you've covered every angle.

👉 Download the free Women's International Travel Safety Checklist

Because you deserve to see the world — and the data says you'll be safer when you do.

Sources & Further Reading

• Global Peace Index — Institute for Economics & Peace
• RAINN — Sexual Assault Statistics (U.S. DOJ data)
• CDC — National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2023–24
• Tulane University & NewCom Institute — Survey of 3,300 U.S. Women (2024)
• STEP — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
• U.S. Embassy & Consulate Locator
• Global Entry — U.S. Customs & Border Protection
• UN Women — Safe Cities Global Initiative

Disclosure: This article contains referral links. HerTravel.Club may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you apply for a credit card or make a purchase through our links. Lisa is not a financial advisor. Always verify current card benefits directly with your issuer.

About the Author Lisa Mecham is the founder of HerTravel.Club, where she teaches women and families how to use credit card reward points to take free or deeply discounted international trips. She is also a FORA Travel Advisor. Follow along on YouTube for the full reward travel series.