180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Not RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
Ask anyone who's been: the hospitality in Iran is like nowhere else, and Isfahan's blue-tiled square, ancient Persepolis and the gardens of Shiraz back it up. But this is a trip on the state's strict terms, regional tensions can close the door overnight, and homosexuality carries the death penalty — LGBT+ travellers must not go. For everyone else it's one for the well-prepared, not the casual.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Iran: 2.9
Ranked 90th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
An estimated 2.9 homicides per 100,000 people — a low rate by world standards. The 2021 estimate is the freshest figure that exists.
Lower than 53% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Iran: 2.8
Ranked 22nd least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 13% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.750.
Down 4 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Iran: 3.7
Ranked 6th least free country in the world.
Less free than 99% of the 165 countries measured — 3.78 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 3.36; doing business and owning property, 4.37.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Iran: Death
Ranked 11th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Homosexuality is criminalised here, with a maximum penalty of death penalty.
Public attitudes score 3 out of 100 — the law and public opinion are not the same thing.