180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
The full width of Victoria Falls is on Zimbabwe's side, and the country's guides are rated the best-trained in Africa — a safari here feels like a masterclass. Hwange's elephant herds and the medieval stone city of Great Zimbabwe round it out. Tourist areas run calmly despite everything; the politics is authoritarian, so keep opinions to yourself while you're there. Homosexuality is illegal: LGBT+ travellers should skip it.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Zimbabwe: 6.8
Ranked 55th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
6.76 homicides per 100,000 people in 2022 — an elevated rate by world standards.
Higher than 69% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Zimbabwe: 2.2
Ranked 50th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 30% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.223.
Up 8 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Zimbabwe: 5.0
Ranked 28th least free country in the world.
Less free than 88% of the 165 countries measured — 5.02 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 5.82; doing business and owning property, 3.91.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Zimbabwe: Illegal
Ranked 55th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Homosexuality is criminalised here, with a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine.
Public attitudes score 10 out of 100 — the law and public opinion are not the same thing.