180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Recommend Caution
Machu Picchu earns the pilgrimage, however you arrive — trek the Inca Trail if you can get permits, take the train if you can't. Cusco's Inca-stone streets, the Sacred Valley and Lima's absurdly good restaurants round out the best-tended tourist trail in South America. Watch your pockets in Lima and Cusco like a local would. The Andes handle the rest.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Peru: 8.6
Ranked 41st in the world for the highest homicide rate.
8.6 homicides per 100,000 people in 2021 — an elevated rate by world standards.
Higher than 76% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Peru: 2.1
Ranked 68th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 41% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.073.
Climbed 14 places since 2024 — one of the year's bigger rises.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Peru: 7.4
Ranked 64th freest country in the world.
Freer than 61% of the 165 countries measured — 7.44 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 7.53; doing business and owning property, 7.30.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Peru: 5.4
Ranked 52nd most equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Better for LGBT+ equality than 73% of the 197 countries scored — 54 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 64 out of 100, everyday attitudes 44.