How We Calculate Safety Scores
Overview
We aggregate data from multiple trusted public sources to compute a composite safety score (1-10) for every country. Higher scores indicate safer destinations. The score combines five categories, each weighted equally at 20%.
Data Sources
| Source | What It Measures | Update Frequency | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Peace Index (IEP) | Measures peacefulness across 163 countries using 23 indicators. | Annual | Visit |
| Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) | Tracks political violence and protest events worldwide in near real-time. | Weekly | Visit |
| INFORM Risk Index (UN OCHA) | Assesses humanitarian crisis and disaster risk across multiple dimensions. | Quarterly | Visit |
| US State Department Travel Advisories | Official US government travel safety ratings (Levels 1-4). | Varies | Visit |
| UK FCDO Travel Advice | Official UK government travel safety guidance. | Varies | Visit |
Scoring Formula
For each country, raw indicator values are normalized to a 0-1 scale (higher = safer). Indicators within each category are averaged into a pillar score. The final composite score is the weighted sum of all pillar scores, mapped to a 1-10 scale.
Category Weights
All five categories are weighted equally. This reflects our belief that no single dimension of safety should dominate the overall score. As the project matures, weights may be adjusted based on user feedback and data quality.
| Category | Weight | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Conflict | 20% | , Armed Conflict Fatalities (ACLED), Armed Conflict Events (ACLED) |
| Crime | 20% | , US State Department Advisory Level, UK FCDO Advisory Level |
| Health | 20% | |
| Governance | 20% | , |
| Environment | 20% |
Limitations and Caveats
Our scores are based on publicly available data that may be delayed, incomplete, or not granular enough to capture regional differences within a country. Scores should be used as a general guide, not as definitive safety assessments. Always consult your government's official travel advisories before making travel decisions.