180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Top RecommendationLGBT+ visiting: Top Recommendation
Portugal has kept the same borders since 1249 and the same knack for easy living ever since: Lisbon's hills and pastéis de nata, the Douro's terraced vineyards, the Algarve's golden coves, surf all down the Atlantic coast. Top-ten peace score, strong LGBT+ rights, and still better value than its neighbours. The crowds have noticed. Go in spring or autumn and it's still magic.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Portugal: 0.7
Ranked 16th in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
0.72 homicides per 100,000 people in 2022 — killings here are genuinely rare.
Lower than 85% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Portugal: 1.4
Ranked 13th most peaceful country in the world.
One of the ten most peaceful countries on Earth — 7th of 163, scoring 1.371.
Barely moved — up one place since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Portugal: 8.6
Ranked 20th freest country in the world.
Freer than 89% of the 165 countries measured — 8.62 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 9.28; doing business and owning property, 7.71.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Portugal: 7.7
Ranked 14th most equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Better for LGBT+ equality than 93% of the 197 countries scored — 77 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here — legal protections score 94 out of 100, everyday attitudes 60.