According to a report by idealista, there are several organisations with different methodologies used to create country safety indices, which are calculated according to certain factors and indicators. The most common factors are the following:

Crime rate: crime as a factor can include homicides, robberies, assaults, thefts, among other crimes. Logically, if crime rates are lower, they will contribute to a higher rating in terms of safety and security.

Political Stability and corruption: countries with stable governments and complex and developed political systems, and where corruption does not exist, tend to be considered safer.

Police presence: the response and effectiveness of police forces in times of attacks on public or private security and the presence of public security measures can also be taken into consideration when assessing security in a country.

Risks of natural disasters: insecurity and threats do not only come from people but also from nature. Therefore, countries that are prone to natural disasters (earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.) can have their safety indices adjusted to reflect these catastrophe risks.

Judicial system: the efficiency and readiness of a country's judicial system and law enforcement can influence the country's perception of security. We live in a safer place knowing that the judicial system works and supports its citizens.

Each organisation organises the factors and weighs them differently, obtaining different results. Some organisations that prepare security indices worldwide are the Global Peace Index (GPI), the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and Numbeo.

Safest countries in the world to buy a house

During 2023, a new study was carried out with 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators, and the results placed Portugal in a prominent position among the 10 safest countries in the world.

At the top of the list was Iceland, followed by Denmark and then Ireland in third place. New Zealand is in fourth position, then Austria, and Singapore in sixth.

Portugal features in seventh position in the world for the safest place to buy a house. “Portugal is a country that offers cultural variety, tradition and an open mind towards modernisation. If you want to buy a house in Portugal, you already know that security is one of the country's strong points, as well as the opportunity for a calm and happy life,” according to idealista.

Rounding off the top ten is Slovenia in eighth, Japan in ninth and then finally Switzerland in tenth.