180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Recommend Caution
Baku is the odd one out among capitals — a walled medieval old city with flame-shaped skyscrapers glowing behind it. Out of town there are more mud volcanoes than anywhere on earth and mountain villages like Khinalug that feel a century away. Streets are genuinely safe. It's a tightly run state, so save the political opinions for home, and LGBT+ travellers will want real discretion here.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Azerbaijan: 2.0
Ranked 66th in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
1.99 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024 — a low rate by world standards.
Lower than 64% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Azerbaijan: 2.1
Ranked 69th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 42% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.067.
Climbed 17 places since 2024 — one of the year's bigger rises.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Azerbaijan: 5.2
Ranked 39th least free country in the world.
Less free than 81% of the 165 countries measured — 5.29 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 4.93; doing business and owning property, 5.80.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Azerbaijan: 2.0
Ranked 61st least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Ranks behind 73% of the 197 countries scored for LGBT+ equality — 20 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 35 out of 100, everyday attitudes 5.