10 Safest Places in the Asia-Pacific

2New Zealand

Living up to its reputation as one of the most tranquil places on earth, New Zealand reported no civil or ethnic strife in the latest survey year and a very high proportion of New Zealanders feel safe to express their political opinions.

Tiny New Zealand has a total population of just 4 million people—half the size of New York City and smaller than its neighbour’s biggest city, Sydney. But with very few demographic pressures, low levels of group grievances and a very low violent crime rate, flight of professionals, intellectuals, and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of the middle class is relatively low, placing the country 18th globally.

There’s still some room for improvement though. Although only 1.3 percent of the population reported having been assaulted in the year prior to the survey, instances of property theft were much higher, at 18 percent. Meanwhile, only six out of 10 people feel safe walking home alone at night.

Photo: Phillip Capper