180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Not RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
Namibia was made for road trips — apricot-coloured dunes at Sossusvlei, floodlit waterholes at Etosha where the animals come to you, and the shipwrecked emptiness of the Skeleton Coast. It's one of the least crowded countries on earth. The murder rate is high though, which drags the numbers down: the classic self-drive circuit feels a world away from it, but plan your city stops with care.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Namibia: 11.2
Ranked 27th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
11.21 homicides per 100,000 people in 2021 — a high rate by any standard.
Higher than 81% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Namibia: 1.8
Ranked 64th most peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 69% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 1.789.
Up 4 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Namibia: 7.5
Ranked 60th freest country in the world.
Freer than 64% of the 165 countries measured — 7.50 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 8.30; doing business and owning property, 6.38.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Namibia: 4.1
Ranked 86th most equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Better for LGBT+ equality than 53% of the 197 countries scored — 41 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 49 out of 100, everyday attitudes 33.