5 Most Dangerous Countries in the World in 2022

In this article, we take a look at the 5 most dangerous countries in the world in 2022. If you want to check out our detailed analysis on economic implications of violence and crime, go to 25 Most Dangerous Countries in the World in 2022.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

GPI Score: 3.16

Democratic Republic of Congo is yet another country from Africa. Decades of war have left the country with a fragmented society, civil strife, and high crime rate. Some of the regions including the provinces North Kivu, Ituri, Kasai, Kasai Oriental, Kasai Central and the eastern DRC region are especially dangerous in terms of violence.

4. South Sudan

GPI Score: 3.18

South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in East Africa. It used to be a part of Sudan until its secession in 2011. The US State Department warns US citizens to not travel to the country as foreign nationals in South Sudan have been subjected to rape, armed mugging and kidnapping. 

Violent crime is prevalent throughout South Sudan, especially in Juba. The UK’s FCDO describes South Sudan as especially dangerous for journalists. A US-UK journalist was killed in 2017 close to the town of Kaya during a gunfight between government forces and armed rebels.

3. Syria

GPI Score: 3.35

Syria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2022 due to the ongoing civil war that has devastated the country’s infrastructure and society. Syria experienced a low crime rate prior to the war but as a paper from Stability Journal shows war and crime are complementing each other in the country. The government forces, as well as the rebels, engage in criminal activity like looting, extortion and smuggling to fund the war effort. 

Aside from that, there are multiple armed groups in control of different territories, leaving the country effectively lawless. These include Jabhat al Nusra, Free Syrian Army, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda.

2. Yemen

GPI Score: 3.39

Yemen is another country located in the Middle East. It borders Saudi Arabia on the North and Oman on the East. Yemen has been going through a civil war since 2014, with various opposing factions fighting each other including Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi-backed Islah Party, Hadi loyalists and Secessionist STC. 

1. Afghanistan

GPI Score: 3.55

Afghanistan is the most dangerous country in the world in 2022 per the 2022 Global Peace Index. The US-led NATO left the country in 2021, while the Taliban immediately took control.

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