Top 10 Safest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2025

Safety and security are a significant concern for international students, especially women who plan to study abroad in 2025 along with a strong educational system. Numerous factors, such as crime rates, political stability, and overall safety and rankings help to find out the best and safest countries for international students to study abroad. With low crime rate and stable political environment, Indian students can begin their education abroad without being sceptical about it.

This Story also Contains

1. Top 10 Safest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
2. Top Safest Countries in the World Based on GPI Rankings
3. Global Peace Index 2024-25: World's 10 Safest Countries
4. Other Safest Destinations for Study Abroad
5. Safest Countries for Women 2025
6. How to Be Safe as an Indian Student?
7. Conclusion

What are the lowest crime and safest countries for international students? Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, and many more are among the top countries with the lowest crime rates 2025 according to the Global Peace Index (GPI). Students can look into these countries before making admission decisions. We have mentioned the reviews, laws and rules, and rankings of the top countries ensuring international students' safety as per Global Peace Rankings in this article.

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• Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad

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Top 10 Safest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students

The Global Peace Index is one of the trustworthy tools to measure peace in countries worldwide. Hence, we have used this tool to consider the top safest countries for international students.

What is the Global Peace Index (GPI)?

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an official measuring tool that assesses a country's peace in the world. It is one of the trustworthy sources used to evaluate the safest countries in the world for international students. The GPI measures on a multitude of factors ranging from qualitative to quantitative 23 aspects including terrorism level, crime rate, political stability, army and police personnel, UN peacekeeping funding, heavy weaponry, etc.

Top Safest Countries in the World Based on GPI Rankings

Here are the 10 of the safest countries in the world for Indian students according to the Global Peace Index (GPI):

Top 10 Safest Countries in the World based on GPI Rankings 2024-25

Global Peace Index 2024-25: World's 10 Safest Countries

We have mentioned in detail some of the best and most peaceful study destinations for Indian students below. Students can explore why these countries are the safest and ideal choices to pursue a study abroad programme.

1. Iceland

Iceland is ranked as the world’s most peaceful nation in the world according to GPI rank 2024. Being on 1st, it is the top choice for international students planning to study abroad. Iceland has impressively consistently maintained its 1st place as the safest country in the world for over 16 years. The country has very low crime and offers a high quality of life and strong cultural diversity to international students seeking to study or work there.

It is also renowned for its strong educational system, marking its name as one of the top choices to pursue a course of study abroad. Here are the top 5 universities in Iceland for international students:

Top Universities in Iceland 2025

• Iceland University of the Arts

• University of Iceland

• Bifröst University

• University Centre of the Westfjords

• Reykjavik University

2. Ireland

Ireland is among the top choices for international students when considering the low-crime countries worldwide. Ranked 3rd according to the Global Peace Index, it stands out for a safe and secure environment including careers and academic opportunities. Each year, thousands of Indian students apply to universities in Ireland as it provides security and safety for them to study and work freely. Here are the top 5 universities in Ireland for international students:

Top Universities in Ireland 2025

• Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

• University College Dublin

• University College Cork

3. Austria

Indian students prefer Austria as one of the top 5 choices to study abroad in a safe and secure nation for 2025. Serious crime is very uncommon in Austria, making it preferable for Indian students, especially women. It is ranked 3rd as per GPI and offers students with standards of life and affordable quality education. The country is open for students from all over the world.

Moreover, five of the eight universities in Austria ranked in the QS World University Ranking 2025 are among the world’s top 500. Here are the top 5 universities in Austria for international students.

Top Universities in Austria 2025

• University of Vienna

• Vienna University of Technology

• Universität Innsbruck

• Graz University of Technology

• Johannes Kepler University Linz

4. New Zealand

New Zealand is consistently emerging as one of the top study abroad destinations in the world for Indian students due to its high academic standards and supportive lowest crime environment. The country impressively ranks 4th on GPI. More than 59,000 international students were admitted to the prestigious universities in New Zealand in 2025. It is expected that the number will be much higher in 2025. Here are the top 5 universities in New Zealand for Indian students:

Top Universities in New Zealand 2025

• University of Auckland

• University of Otago

• University of Waikato

• Victoria University of Wellington

• Massey University

5. Singapore

Singapore is among the safest countries for Indian students. It is due to its rigid law enforcement in the country protecting residents and international students from severe crimes. The country hereby has the lowest crime rates in the world where convicts have to face major implications for even small crimes. Singapore impressively ranks in the 5th position in the Global Peace Index.

It is the best and safest study destination where students are offered a multicultural environment with world-renowned universities. Here are the top 5 universities in Singapore:

Top Universities in Singapore 2025

• National University of Singapore

• Nanyang Technological University

• Singapore Management University

• Singapore Management University

• INSEAD - Singapore

6. Switzerland

One of the safest and most secure countries is Switzerland with high security and political neutrality during periods of conflicts in its neighbouring countries. Hence, the chances of crime and political instability are very low in a country such as Switzerland. The Swiss education system is the most popular and updated system in the world. The country is ranked 6th in GPI for peacefulness.

In 2024, approximately 76,257 international students were enrolled in higher education institutions in Switzerland. It is anticipated that this number of students will increase further in 2025 due to the growing demand for the country to offer safer higher education to international students. Here are the top 5 universities in Switzerland for international students:

Top Universities in Switzerland

• ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

• Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

• University of Zurich

• University of Bern

• University of Geneva

7. Portugal

The increased presence of armed police in the country has impacted the number of crimes. Portugal is hereby one of the safest countries for Indian students offering full police protection and a safe and secure environment to study or work. Also, the country is home to more than 20 prestigious universities known for academic excellence and rigorous courses. According to GPI, Portugal is ranked at 7th position for safety.

The country offers affordability and quality education hands-on hands for international students. Here are the top 5 universities in Portugal for Indian students:

Top Universities in Portugal 2025

• University of Lisbon

• University of Porto

• University of Coimbra

• University of Aveiro

• Universidade Nova de Lisboa

8. Denmark

Ranked at 8th place in the Global Peace Index, Denmark is among the low crime study abroad countries in the world. The country offers a highly secure working and educational environment with low or no crime. Denmark is also known for high equality with the highest number of women employees, free media press, social welfare, and secure routes, making it preferable for international student safety.

Moreover, the country is known for offering affordable excellent education with cutting-edge research facilities. This is one of the reasons why international students prefer this safe country to study abroad. Here are the top 5 universities in Denmark:

Top Universities in Denmark

• University of Copenhagen

• Technical University of Denmark

• Aarhus University

• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

• Aalborg University

9. Slovenia

Slovenia is one of the top 10 safest countries to study abroad for Indian students 2025. The country is an underdog that is emerging consistently on top for being the best and lowest crime nation worldwide for studying abroad. This European country is known to offer a peaceful environment for those who are planning studies or work in Slovenia. Though the country is attracting international students, many students are applying for universities in Slovenia. Here are the top 3 universities in Slovenia:

Top Universities in Slovenia 2025

• University of Maribor

• University of Ljubljana

• University of Nova Gorica

10. Malaysia

Renowned for providing cheap universities in the world, globally recognised degrees, affordable living expenses, and a safe and secure environment, Malaysia is the 10th place for happiest and low crime country in the world for Indian students. Moreover, the strict law enforcement in the country backs up the protection of the residents of Malaysia. Hence, it is open for students across the nation. Malaysia also has some prestigious universities such as Universiti Malaya (UM) with a diverse student campus. Here are the top 5 universities in Malaysia for international students:

Top Universities in Malaysia 2025

• Universiti Malaya (UM)

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

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Other Safest Destinations for Study Abroad

If one is wondering about low crime study abroad destinations apart from the nations already mentioned above. They can further refer to the below-mentioned countries for peaceful study abroad locations as per the Global Peace Index

Peaceful Nations Across the World as per GPI

Safest Countries for Women 2025

Women safety is a major concern for Indian girl students while exploring study abroad options. So, some of the safest and secure countries for women Indian students include the following:

Peaceful nations for women around the world

These countries offer women a safe environment; hereby helping them to pursue their course of study stress free and without worrying about their protection all the time. Also, studying or working in a politically stable and crime free nation contributes to the betterment of women mental and emotional health.

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Austria

• New Zealand

• Singapore

• Switzerland

• Portugal

• Denmark

• Slovenia

• Malaysia

How to Be Safe as an Indian Student?

It is one of the major priorities for international students to be safe in a foreign environment. Study destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, and Ireland are highly popular among Indian students for study abroad; however, sometimes students wonder whether or not these places are safe for them. Students must note that these places have significantly lower crime rates. Yet, students must take some precautionary measures to ensure personal safety in a foreign land. Some of the tips and tricks for international students to start their higher education journey with safety include the following:

• Thorough Research of Study Destination: Students must research the preferred country including local laws, customs, culture, safety norms, and others. Be aware of the local slang and language that comes in handy in case of any emergency. They can also join several community groups with other Indian students for safety and discussions.

• Choose the Accommodation Safely: Generally, the residential halls and university dorms are more safer than private off-campus housing. This is because these are managed by the university. Research the locality and the location of private housing before signing the rent/lease contract in case of private accommodations. Also check for security such as CCTVs, security, lighting, and more.

• Avoid walking alone at night: Students must avoid walking at night alone in the new environment. They must take the known routes for travel and save some trustworthy person’s contact in an emergency.

• Obtain Student Travel Insurance: For safety purposes, students must have travel insurance that can cover miscellaneous expenses such as medical bills, lost items, bag loss, etc.

• Prepare for Health Wellbeing: Students must obtain healthcare (some countries make it mandatory for international students to obtain one), have a first aid box, and have necessary vaccinations before entering a foreign country.

• Avoid any Conflict: Students must steer clear of any rallies, protests, and other gatherings leading to civil or political unrest that involve law enforcement.

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Conclusion

There are many safe countries in the world for international students. However, students must explore the countries thoroughly and then choose the right study destinations as per their profile. Safety should be the priority for them. We thereby got them covered and mentioned the top 10 safest nations ranked for their safety, happiness, and educational excellence by the Global Peace Index. These countries not only ensure a safe and peaceful environment but also high-quality education systems.

Some countries with international students' safety are quite popular such as Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Switzerland. On the other hand, several low crime study abroad destinations are gradually attracting international students such as Iceland, Malaysia, Portugal, and Slovenia.

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