180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Highly RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Recommended
Seoul does 600-year-old palaces and all-night food markets in the same block, Busan stacks a temple on a cliff over the sea, and spring cherry blossom rivals Japan's with half the crowds. South Korea is extremely safe, endlessly easy to get around, and the food alone justifies the airfare. LGBT+ acceptance is still catching up with the rest of its modernity, so expect a conservative streak.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Korea, South: 0.5
Ranked 10th in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
0.49 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024 — killings here are genuinely rare.
Lower than 92% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Korea, South: 1.7
Ranked 55th most peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 75% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 1.736.
Up 2 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Korea, South: 8.1
Ranked 37th freest country in the world.
Freer than 79% of the 165 countries measured — 8.15 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 8.59; doing business and owning property, 7.53.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Korea, South: 4.6
Ranked 78th most equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Better for LGBT+ equality than 58% of the 197 countries scored — 46 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 53 out of 100, everyday attitudes 39.