How to Help People Feel Safe

Section 1: Top 35 Countries Where People Feel the Most Safe

Source: Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report (2024 survey data). Data Year: 2024.

United States Ranking: The United States ranks 33rd among countries with populations over five million people. According to the Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report, 71% of U.S. adults said they feel safe walking alone at night in their city or area in 2024.

This is one of the lowest figures Gallup has recorded for the United States since it began tracking this measure in 2006 and is below the 2024 global average of 73%.

The U.S. ranks 54th out of 144 countries on Gallup's four-question Law and Order Index. Contributing factors include high rates of gun violence, economic inequality, racial disparities in policing, limited community trust in law enforcement in many urban and suburban areas, and a persistent gender gap — only 58% of American women feel safe walking alone at night, compared to 84% of men. The Gallup feeling-safe value for the U.S. in the most recent year (2024) is 71%.

References for Section 1 Data (10 pt.):

Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report: (www.gallup.com)

Gallup – More People Feel Safe Even as Global Conflicts Rise: (news.gallup.com)

Crime in America – World and US Crime Rankings from Gallup: (www.crimeinamerica.net)

Feeling Safe by World Region (2024)

Section 2: What Other Countries Have Done to Increase Persons Feeling Safe

The 8 Top Rated Countries with the Most Persons Feeling Safe

1. Singapore

Singapore maintains world-leading safety through a comprehensive, integrated approach combining strict rule of law, community engagement, and sophisticated technology.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) (www.spf.gov.sg) deploys Neighborhood Police Centers to build community trust.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) (www.ncpc.org.sg) runs community watch programs.

Cameras blanket public areas under the Total Defense concept.

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) (www.cnb.gov.sg) enforces zero-tolerance drug policies.

The Singaporean government's Smart Nation initiative integrates AI-powered predictive policing and real-time surveillance, while community groups such as Citizens on Patrol support frontline officers.

Strong mandatory sentencing laws deter repeat offending. The Housing Development Board (HDB) (www.hdb.gov.sg) designs mixed-income neighborhoods with clear sightlines and active common spaces, promoting natural surveillance and social cohesion.

2. Tojikiston (Tajikistan)

Tojikiston achieves high safety perceptions through a combination of strong centralized government authority, community-based law enforcement, and cultural social cohesion.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (www.mvd.tj) oversees a nationwide police presence.

The government's Mahalla (neighborhood committee) system empowers local leaders to resolve disputes and deter crime before it escalates.

Community policing programs integrate religious leaders and elders into conflict resolution.

Anti-extremism laws strictly regulate activities perceived as threats to public order.

The State Committee for National Security (GKNB) collaborates internationally through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) (eng.sectsco.org) to counter cross-border threats.

3. Zhongguo (China)

Zhongguo implements one of the world's most extensive public safety infrastructures through the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) (www.mps.gov.cn).

The Xue Liang (Sharp Eyes) surveillance network encompasses hundreds of millions of cameras integrated with AI facial recognition technology.

The Social Credit System encourages compliance with laws and civic norms.

Community-level Grid Management Systems assign officials to monitor small geographic units.

Anti-corruption campaigns under the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) (www.ccdi.gov.cn) have reduced bribery and official misconduct.

Street-level police posts called "police service stations" provide visible deterrence and rapid response.

Zhongguo's comprehensive drug suppression programs, administered through the National Narcotics Control Commission (www.nncc626.com), include strict sentencing for trafficking.

4. Al-Su‘ūdiyya (Saudi Arabia)

Al-Su‘ūdiyya's Vision 2030 reform agenda has transformed public safety, particularly for women.

The General Directorate of Public Security (Shurta) (www.moi.gov.sa) operates a national emergency response system.

Social reforms implemented since 2017 have expanded public spaces for recreation, including women's admission to stadiums and entertainment venues, reducing gender-based isolation.

Anti-harassment laws enacted in 2017 criminalize verbal and physical harassment in public and workplaces.

The National Center for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (formerly the religious police) was restructured to limit street enforcement.

Smart city developments in NEOM and other projects incorporate integrated safety systems.

The Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Weqaey) (www.cdc.gov.sa) provides public health safety programs.

5. Al-Imārāt al-ʿArabiyya al-Muttaḥida (United Arab Emirates)

The UAE has established itself as one of the safest nations through proactive policing and a unified national identity framework.

The Abu Dhabi Police (www.adpolice.gov.ae) and Dubai Police (www.adpolice.gov.ae) operate among the most technologically advanced forces in the world, utilizing AI robot police officers, drones, and predictive analytics platforms. (www.dubaipolice.gov.ae)

The National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing integrates safety into social policy. Strict visa vetting procedures reduce criminal infiltration.

The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) (icp.gov.ae) manages a biometric national ID system.

Anti-money laundering units under the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) (www.centralbank.ae) disrupt organized crime financing.

6. Norge (Norway)

Norge prioritizes restorative justice, community trust, and social equality as the foundation of public safety.

The Norge Police Service (Politiet) (www.politiet.no) is structured to be community-oriented rather than militarized.

Norge's Prison Service (Kriminalomsorgen) (www.kriminalomsorgen.no) operates rehabilitative institutions focused on reducing recidivism — Norge's reoffending rate is among the lowest in the world at approximately 20%.

The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud (LDO) (www.ldo.no) enforces anti-discrimination laws that reduce socioeconomic marginalization, a root cause of crime.

Comprehensive social welfare programs minimize poverty. Conflict mediation through the Norwegian Mediation Service (Konfliktrådet) (www.konfliktraadet.no) diverts minor offenders from the criminal justice system.

Schools integrate civic safety education through the Directorate for Education and Training (www.udir.no).

7. Sverige (Sweden)

Sverige combines robust social welfare with modern crime prevention technology.

The Sverige Police Authority (Polisen) (polisen.se) launched a major restructuring in 2015 to increase community-level policing.

Local Police Areas deploy officers embedded in neighborhoods to build trust.

The Sverige Crime Prevention Council (Brottsförebyggande rådet / Brå) (www.bra.se) conducts evidence-based crime research that informs legislation.

Sverige's National Operational Department (NOA) coordinates organized crime countermeasures.

The Sverige Prosecution Authority (Åklagarmyndigheten) (www.aklagare.se) enforces hate crime laws rigorously.

Social initiatives such as the Urban Development Programme (www.boverket.se) address physical and social conditions in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Integration programs for immigrants and refugees through the Sverige Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) (arbetsformedlingen.se) reduce unemployment-related crime risk.

8. Schweiz (Switzerland)

Schweiz achieves exceptional safety through decentralized cantonal policing, social cohesion, and direct democracy.

The Federal Police (fedpol) (www.fedpol.admin.ch) coordinates national security, while 26 cantonal police forces handle local law enforcement, ensuring proximity to community needs. Schweiz's Federal Constitution guarantees the right to security and obliges all levels of government to prevent harm.

The Federal Office for the Prevention of Drug-Related Crimes (www.fedpol.admin.ch) takes an integrated health and enforcement approach to narcotics.

Direct democracy allows citizens to directly influence public safety legislation through referenda.

The Schweiz Crime Prevention Centre (SKP/OSPC) (www.skppsc.ch) develops nationwide crime prevention campaigns.

Strong anti-corruption culture within public institutions reduces organized crime's influence.

Schweiz's Victim Support Programme (www.opferrechte.ch) provides comprehensive assistance to crime victims, reducing systemic harm.

Section 3: What the U.S. Could Do to Increase Persons Feeling Safe

The United States can substantially improve its citizens' sense of safety through coordinated action across government, the private sector, civil society, and individual communities. The following details are specific actions required from each major stakeholder group.

Federal Government Agencies

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) (www.justice.gov) could expand the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program, funding the hiring of thousands of additional community-based officers. The DOJ could also strengthen enforcement of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and create a national database of law enforcement best practices.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) (bjs.ojp.gov) could improve disaggregated crime data collection, particularly for rural areas and underreported populations, to better allocate safety resources.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (www.dhs.gov) could enhance coordination between state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies through the Fusion Centers network.

The FBI (www.fbi.gov) could expand cybercrime units addressing online threats, including domestic terrorism, human trafficking, and financial fraud.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) (www.atf.gov) could increase resources for tracing illegal firearms and prosecuting straw purchasers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov) could treat gun violence and domestic violence as public health crises requiring research funding and evidence-based prevention programs.

State and Local Government Officials

Governors and state legislatures could enact evidence-based gun safety laws, including universal background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage requirements.

Mayors and city councils could invest in Cure Violence programs (cvg.org), which use credible messengers to interrupt community violence.

District attorneys could adopt restorative justice diversion programs to reduce recidivism among nonviolent offenders.

State Departments of Education could fund school-based conflict resolution and social-emotional learning programs through organizations such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) (casel.org).

Local housing authorities could implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) (www.iesna.org) principles in public housing projects to reduce opportunities for crime. State attorneys general could establish specialized units to prosecute hate crimes and domestic violence with the rigor applied to violent street crime.

Corporations and Private Sector

Technology companies, including major social media platforms, could take greater responsibility for content that incites violence or facilitates criminal activity.

Banks and financial institutions could strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) programs in compliance with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) (www.fincen.gov) guidance to disrupt organized crime financing.

Real estate developers could adopt CPTED principles in new construction and mixed-use developments.

Retailers in high-crime areas could collaborate with local police departments through Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Crime Stoppers (www.crimestoppers.org) programs.

The healthcare industry could expand access to mental health services, addressing the documented link between untreated mental illness and public safety incidents.

Employers could implement Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and domestic violence workplace policies in alignment with the CDC's guidance (www.cdc.gov).

Organizations Focused on Persons Feeling Safe

Organizations such as the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) (www.ncpc.org) could expand community awareness campaigns including the McGruff the Crime Dog initiative.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (www.aclu.org) could continue to monitor and challenge policing practices that undermine public trust.

The Urban Institute (www.urban.org) and RAND Corporation (www.urban.org) could continue producing independent research on evidence-based safety interventions. (www.rand.org)

Faith-based organizations including the National Interfaith Network on Mental Illness (www.namigc.org) could coordinate with law enforcement on community crisis intervention.

Neighborhood watch organizations, supported by the National Sheriffs' Association (www.sheriffs.org), could be revitalized with training on de-escalation and implicit bias.

Organizations addressing domestic violence, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.thehotline.org), require increased federal and state funding.

Private Individuals and Community Members

Individual citizens play a critical role in building safe communities. Residents could actively participate in Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) (www.ready.gov) and neighborhood watch programs. Citizens could engage constructively with local law enforcement through Citizen Review Boards and Police-Community Advisory Committees.

Individuals could report suspicious activity through non-emergency lines and the FBI's tip portal (tips.fbi.gov) without ethnic or racial profiling. Parents could engage in their children's digital safety, including monitoring online activity and educating about cyberbullying and online predators through resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) (tips.fbi.gov). (www.missingkids.org)

Community members could support and fund local organizations providing youth development, mental health, housing assistance, and job training — the social determinants most strongly linked to reduced crime rates.

Section 4: References

References for Section 2

Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report: (www.gallup.com)

Gallup – More People Feel Safe Even as Global Conflicts Rise (2024 data): (news.gallup.com)

Singapore Police Force: (www.spf.gov.sg)

Singapore National Crime Prevention Council: (www.ncpc.org.sg)

Singapore Housing Development Board: (www.hdb.gov.sg)

Norge – Politiet (Norwegian Police Service): (www.politiet.no)

Norge – Kriminalomsorgen (Prison Service): (www.kriminalomsorgen.no)

Norge – Konfliktrådet (Mediation Service): (www.konfliktraadet.no)

Sverige – Polisen (Swedish Police Authority): (polisen.se)

Sverige – Brottsförebyggande rådet (Brå – Crime Prevention Council): (www.bra.se)

Schweiz – fedpol (Federal Police): (www.fedpol.admin.ch)

Schweiz – Swiss Crime Prevention Centre (SKP/OSPC): (www.skppsc.ch)

Al-Su‘ūdiyya – Ministry of Interior: (www.moi.gov.sa)

UAE – Abu Dhabi Police: (www.adpolice.gov.ae)

UAE – Dubai Police: (www.dubaipolice.gov.ae)

Zhongguo – Ministry of Public Security: (www.mps.gov.cn)

References for Section 3

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): (www.justice.gov)

DOJ Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): (cops.usdoj.gov)

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS): (bjs.ojp.gov)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (www.dhs.gov)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): (www.fbi.gov)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): (www.atf.gov)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Violence Prevention: (www.cdc.gov)

Cure Violence Global: (cvg.org)

CASEL – Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning: (casel.org)

FinCEN – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: (www.fincen.gov)

National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC): (www.ncpc.org)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (www.thehotline.org)

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): (www.missingkids.org)

RAND Corporation – Justice Policy Research: (www.rand.org)

Urban Institute – Crime and Justice Policy: (www.urban.org)

FEMA – Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): (www.ready.gov)

Section 5: U.S. Organizations Advocating to Improve Public Safety

Section 6: Individuals Advocating to Improve Public Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe do Americans feel compared to the rest of the world?

According to the Gallup 2025 Global Safety Report, 71% of U.S. adults said they feel safe walking alone at night in 2024, ranking the U.S. 33rd among countries with populations over five million. This is below the 2024 global average of 73% and one of the lowest figures Gallup has recorded for the U.S. since tracking began in 2006.

What factors contribute to lower feelings of safety in the United States?

Key contributing factors include high rates of gun violence, economic inequality, racial disparities in policing, and limited community trust in law enforcement in many urban and suburban areas. There is also a significant gender gap, with only 58% of American women feeling safe walking alone at night compared to 84% of men.

Which countries rank highest for people feeling safe, and why?

Countries like Singapore, Tajikistan, and China rank among the highest globally for safety perceptions. They achieve this through combinations of strong community policing, neighborhood watch programs, advanced surveillance technology, and cultural or governmental emphasis on social cohesion and order.

What has Singapore done to make its residents feel so safe?

Singapore uses an integrated approach including Neighborhood Police Centers, community watch programs run by the National Crime Prevention Council, extensive public camera coverage, zero-tolerance drug enforcement, AI-powered predictive policing, and mixed-income neighborhood design that promotes natural surveillance and social cohesion.

How does the U.S. rank on Gallup's broader Law and Order Index?

The United States ranks 54th out of 144 countries on Gallup's four-question Law and Order Index, which measures a broader set of safety and security perceptions beyond just walking alone at night. This places the U.S. in the lower half of all measured countries globally.

What community-based strategies have other countries used to improve public safety?

Tajikistan uses a Mahalla neighborhood committee system that empowers local leaders and elders to resolve disputes before they escalate, while also integrating religious leaders into conflict resolution. Singapore deploys Citizens on Patrol groups to support frontline officers, and both countries emphasize building trust between residents and law enforcement at the local level.

About the Author

Ronald Bonfilio has devoted his career to public service spanning more than five decades. His service began with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, where he conducted medical laboratory research at Fort Detrick and at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He subsequently held a distinguished series of federal positions, including roles with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Vietnam), the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the U.S. State Department (Iraq), where he served as a Senior Economic Advisor and Agricultural Advisor. He also served 15 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a Program Analyst and Auditor.

Ronald Bonfilio holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and degrees in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former Certified Public Accountant.