The 15 Safest Countries for Women, According to a New Study
The 15 Safest Countries for Women, According to a New Study
Each week, we talk to thousands of American women who are considering moving abroad. Over and over again, these women say they don’t feel safe in the United States.
Whether their reasons for feeling unsafe have to do with bodily autonomy, the rise in violent rhetoric from men’s groups, or the threat of gun violence, they often ask for the safest countries for women.
A group of five women researched crime reports and safety laws in 78 countries and found these 15 countries had the strongest safety laws for women combined with the lowest incidents of crime.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Bosnia and Herzegovina is a gorgeous country on the Balkan peninsula bordering Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Although they drew the short straw on coastline, they offer mountains, rivers, and lakes along with a variety of cozy cities.
Italy
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Italy has lots to offer residents, from endless coastal towns to €1 homes to renovate. Be aware, the current right-wing regime is removing rights from LGBTQIA women.
➤ Learn more about moving to Italy
Greece
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Americans love retiring to Greece or studying there. One island will even pay families with children to move there.
➤ Learn more about moving to Greece
Albania
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One of the nicest things about Albania, aside from these laws and the country’s natural beauty, is that Americans can stay there for a year visa-free.
➤ Learn more about moving to Albania
Poland
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Poland is 100% underrated as a destination to move to. It has dozens of lovely cities, it’s centrally located for easy access to the rest of Europe, and the people are not only kind—they also love Americans.
➤ Learn more about moving to Poland
Portugal
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Immigrating to Portugal is the dream of many Americans, but few have actually done it: only 10,000 have made the move. Easy visas include the D7 visa for retirees and a digital nomad option.
➤ Learn more about moving to Portugal
Hungary
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Hungary has a friendly program for citizenship by descent if you have Hungarian roots. If you can’t draw on your ancestors, you can apply for a digital nomad, student, or investor visa, or you can look for a job offer.
Serbia
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Serbia has lots of visa options, and immigrants to the landlocked country enjoy a low cost of living combined with a high quality of life. Consider Belgrade, its beautiful capital on the Danube and Sava rivers.
➤ Learn more about moving to Serbia
Montenegro
Montenegro is another underrated Balkan country with unreal landscapes and friendly people. It’s also in the top 25% of countries for safety and healthcare.
Bulgaria
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Bulgaria is steeped in history and tradition, and it’s a safe, affordable destination for women who want to move abroad.
Japan
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It’s challenging to move to Japan without the rare job offer, unless you choose to go as a student or investor. A relatively easy option for Americans is to move there to teach English. If you can swing it, you’ll enjoy incredible art, culture, and food.
➤ Learn more about moving to Japan
Croatia
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Croatia is one of the most beautiful places on earth, with 1,100 miles of coastline on the Adriatic Sea on the mainland alone. Split and Dubrovnik can be crowded with tourists, but there are many lesser known towns.
➤ Learn more about moving to Croatia
North Macedonia
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North Macedonia has an incredible blend of what makes Mediterranean countries so appealing combined with all the culture of Slovak nations.
Switzerland
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Switzerland isn’t a destination for the budget-conscious woman, but if you can get a local job, you’ll be able to swing the cost of living. You can also move there as a student or retiree.
➤ Learn more about moving to Switzerland
Singapore
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Singapore is another location with a staggering cost of living, but some aspects are wildly affordable, like their delicious street food.
➤ Learn more about moving to Singapore
11 Reasons Women Are Fleeing the USA
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While the number of people emigrating from the United States grows, there’s one thing the news isn’t reporting: many of these people are women.
The number of solo woman expats is soaring, while married women work to convince reticent husbands to move abroad. Here are some of the reasons women are fleeing the USA:
➤ 11 Reasons Women Are Fleeing the USA
20 Best Countries for Women Who Want to Leave the U.S.
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American women who want to move abroad gather in hundreds of Facebook groups that target female expats. If you’re a woman considering immigration for yourself, the Women Peace and Security Index is a good place to start. The index, which is from 2022, ranked the United States in 21st place prior to overturning Roe V. Wade. These countries were ranked as the top 20.
➤ 20 Best Countries for Women Who Want to Leave the U.S.
What Countries Have the Most Progressive Abortion Laws?
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Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 and end nearly half a century of precedent, American women have sought out countries to move to where reproductive rights are protected. It’s rarely the sole factor in an aspiring emigrant’s decision to leave the U.S., but it’s a significant one.
International law regarding abortion varies considerably and can involve time limits and other legal grounds, but these are countries where abortion is legal or largely protected.
➤ 45 Countries Where Abortion is Legal
Jen is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps Americans move abroad. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. She's written for BusinessWeek, Health, Cooking Light, and Southern Living. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She's moving to Mexico in 2024, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and three rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?
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Jen is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps Americans move abroad. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. She's written for BusinessWeek, Health, Cooking Light, and Southern Living. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She's moving to Mexico in 2024, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and three rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?