180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Recommend Caution
Istanbul spans two continents and earns both: Hagia Sophia, the bazaars, ferries at sunset. Add balloon-filled dawns over Cappadocia and gulet cruises down the Turquoise Coast and you see why Turkey fills so many bucket lists. Tourist regions run far calmer than the country's peace score, which is dragged red by conflict at its borders — so stay flexible and current. LGBT+ acceptance is thin, so discretion is wise.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Turkey: 2.4
Ranked 75th in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
2.41 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024 — a low rate by world standards.
Lower than 60% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Turkey: 2.9
Ranked 18th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 10% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.852.
Barely moved — up one place since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Turkey: 5.1
Ranked 31st least free country in the world.
Less free than 87% of the 165 countries measured — 5.10 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 4.87; doing business and owning property, 5.44.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Turkey: 3.2
Ranked 79th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Ranks behind 57% of the 197 countries scored for LGBT+ equality — 32 out of 100.
Law and public attitudes sit close together, at 32 and 33 out of 100.