Key Finding

7. Prosperity means security

Security – from domestic crime, oppressive government, or foreign attack – seems to function as both a cause and an effect of overall prosperity. Basic levels of safety allow citizens to be productive and enjoy their lives; in turn, wealthy and happy countries are also able to devote the necessary resources to maintaining safety and security. The countries at the very top of the Index are quite similar when it comes to their relative levels of safety and security. For example, six of the 10 safest countries also rank in the top 10 overall rankings, and no country in the overall top 10 ranks below the top 20 on security.

INSIGHT: A poor security environment hurts a nation in many ways. None of the countries that rank in the bottom 10 on security make it into the top 50 in the overall rankings. And sadly, the benefits of safety and security are not enjoyed by much of the world. Only nine percent of the world's population lives in the world’s 20 safest countries, whereas 31 percent of the world lives in the 20 most dangerous countries.