180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Highly RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Highly Recommended
New Zealand is the place other landscapes get compared to. Milford Sound, the Tongariro Crossing, Rotorua steaming away, stars in the south you've never seen — all in a country that gave women the vote first and posts elite scores on everything else. Superb for LGBT+ travellers. It's far away and not cheap; go long, rent the van, and let the South Island rearrange you.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
New Zealand: 1.5
Ranked 53rd in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
1.46 homicides per 100,000 people in 2022 — a low rate by world standards.
Lower than 71% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
New Zealand: 1.3
Ranked 8th most peaceful country in the world.
One of the ten most peaceful countries on Earth — 3rd of 163, scoring 1.282.
Up 2 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
New Zealand: 9.0
Ranked 5th freest country in the world.
One of the ten freest countries on Earth — scoring 9.02 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 9.51; doing business and owning property, 8.33.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
New Zealand: 8.1
Ranked 6th most equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
One of the ten best countries on Earth for LGBT+ equality — scoring 81 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 96 out of 100, everyday attitudes 65.