Summary
When driving through 15 countries from England to Mongolia in the Mongol Rally, many people expressed concerns about the countries that we were driving through. Sure, we faced corruption and some places felt like the Wild West of years gone by, but there are more dangerous places in the world. None of the countries listed below were on our route to Mongolia.
However, we have even been to Sudan, we’ve been on the Pakistan border and we had a friend travel through Afghanistan. All are listed as the Most Dangerous countries on earth.
While this post rounds up dangerous destinations, we aren’t suggesting to exclude them from your travel list forever. Things change, and we have visited many destinations on travel watch lists and ended up having a wonderful time.
World’s 10 Most Dangerous Countries
This post was written in 2012 and has not been updated.
People from all over the world love to travel; however, you need to think twice and conduct thorough research before visiting these hostile destinations.
Louis Armstrong sang a song titled, “What a Wonderful World.” Although he is correct that this is an amazing world in which we live, not all parts of the globe are necessarily safe to visit. In fact, certain locations pose significant dangers. Drugs, murder, and terrorism are prevalent issues in today’s perilous world. Crime is rampant across the globe.
Syria
Terror Index: 8.58
Crime Index: 77.17
Syria is embroiled in a civil war, with 250,000 lives lost and around 11 million people displaced. There seems to be no end in sight.
Millions of innocent individuals have been caught in the crossfire between President Bashar al-Assad’s supporters and those opposed to his rule. Furthermore, the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) has emerged, with accusations of war crimes on all sides.
Afghanistan
Terror Index: 9.44
Crime Index: 77.17
Afghanistan is a country at war, with land mines scattered throughout the region and bombings being a regular occurrence. Military operations continue, contributing to ongoing political unrest.
Parts of the country are controlled by the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and Islamic Jihad Union, making Afghanistan a profoundly unstable environment.
Iraq
Terror Index: 9.96
Criminality Index: 54.76
Though Saddam may be gone, the threat remains real. Terrorist organizations and militia groups regularly place bombs in markets and along roads.
These groups sometimes take hostages, often resulting in fatalities. Ironically, the presence of military troops from other nations has made Iraq even more perilous for foreigners.
Somalia
Terror Index: 7.54
Crime Index: 61.7
Somalia appears to be in chaos due to the absence of a government. The country is a haven for warlords, pirates, kidnappers, Islamist insurgents, and disenchanted youth.
Tensions from neighboring borders exacerbate the situation, and the waters surrounding Somalia are plagued by piracy. The country is also grappling with drought, famine, and exorbitant food prices.
Pakistan
Terror Index: 8.61
Crime Index: 56.39
Militants operate freely along the Pakistani border, with frequent bombings resulting in hundreds of casualties. Violence is rampant, and kidnappings occur daily in the region.
The Afghan border is arguably one of the most perilous places within the country.
Our experience visiting the Pakistan border while in India revealed that people on the other side were welcoming.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Terror Index: 6.63
This nation is burdened by lawlessness and conflict, with armed militias and corrupt military personnel posing threats to local communities.
Military officials often engage in abusive practices, especially targeting women. Illegal armed groups use brutal tactics, including violence, in the region.
South Sudan
Terror Index: 6.6
Criminality Index: 78.18
South Sudan suffers from a lack of control and rampant banditry. The risk of terrorism, violent crime, or being caught in the crossfire of militia attacks is significant.
Religious extremists may also pose a threat due to your nationality or beliefs.
Yemen
Terror Index: 8.07
Crime Index: 66.67
Yemen is home to Al-Qaeda, recognized as the base for many of Bin Laden’s supporters. Additionally, Houthi rebels contribute to the state of constant unrest in the region.
Guinea
Terror Index:
Crime Index: No Data
Guinea is plagued by criminal gangs, and local law enforcement is almost nonexistent. Ongoing violence stemming from Liberia has persisted for over a decade.
The area also suffers from a high prevalence of AIDS, contributing to widespread poverty.
Nigeria
Terror Index: 9.31
Crime Index: 74.33
Nigeria has a history of violence resulting from religious conflicts, with significant challenges posed by ethnic disputes. The overall instability makes the region a risky choice for travelers.
Consequently, when planning your next holiday, it is advisable to consider avoiding the countries listed above, unless travel there is necessary or if you are an extreme adrenaline seeker!
Clearly, many of the mentioned places are examples of common sense. It’s typically sensible to avoid countries currently engaged in war.
However, with proper research and planning, it is possible to consider visiting all countries, including Pakistan, which we intend to explore in the near future.
Have you recently traveled to any of the aforementioned locations? Do you agree or disagree with the countries named? Let’s start a discussion!
