180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Recommend Caution
Gabon is the place with the surfing hippos. Nearly ninety percent of the country is rainforest, and at Loango it runs right down to the beach, where elephants wander the sand. This is organised-expedition territory rather than backpacking — the wildlife is the whole point and the logistics need help. Watch for street crime in Libreville, and keep an eye on the post-coup politics before you go.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Gabon: 8.0
Ranked 47th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
An estimated 7.97 homicides per 100,000 people — an elevated rate by world standards. The 2021 estimate is the freshest figure that exists.
Higher than 73% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Gabon: 2.2
Ranked 47th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 28% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.238.
Barely moved — down one place since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Gabon: 6.3
Ranked 70th least free country in the world.
Less free than 65% of the 165 countries measured — 6.31 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 7.07; doing business and owning property, 5.24.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Gabon: 2.3
Ranked 66th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Ranks behind 69% of the 197 countries scored for LGBT+ equality — 23 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 33 out of 100, everyday attitudes 13.