Saudi Arabia tops G20 safety rankings for 2025

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia ranked first among all G20 countries for perceived safety in 2025
• 97.7% of the population reports feeling safe walking alone at night in residential areas
• 94.9% of adult females feel safe at night, with 81.7% feeling very safe

Saudi Arabia now holds the top spot for perceived safety among all G20 nations, according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The report, which draws on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Indicators Database, found that 97.7% of the population feels safe walking alone at night in their neighborhoods.

The findings place Saudi Arabia ahead of countries like Japan, Germany, and Canada on this particular metric. Among males aged 15 and above, 97% reported feeling safe at night, with 86% saying they feel very safe and 11% somewhat safe.

How do safety perceptions differ by gender and age?

The gender gap in perceived safety is narrower than in most developed economies. Some 94.9% of adult females reported feeling safe walking alone at night, with 81.7% in the very safe category. Adult males came in at 88.2% feeling very safe. The numbers suggest that public safety measures are reaching both populations, though the female confidence rate on the very safe metric trails males by about six percentage points.

Older residents reported the strongest sense of security. Among those aged 60 to 64, 97.2% said they feel safe at night. The 65-and-above bracket recorded the highest proportion of those feeling very safe at 89.6%. This is notable because elderly populations in many countries report heightened vulnerability.

What methodology did GASTAT use?

The ranking is based on country-reported data from the UN SDG Indicators Database, specifically tracking SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. GASTAT compared these results against the 2023 Safety Index. The methodology follows the Statistical Business Process Manual, which aligns with standards used by leading statistical organizations globally.

One caveat: this is a perception-based metric, not a crime statistic. It measures how safe people feel, not actual crime rates. Both data points matter, but they answer different questions. A country can have low crime yet high anxiety, or vice versa. Saudi Arabia's score reflects resident confidence in their personal safety, which correlates with but does not replace objective crime data.

Where does this fit into Vision 2030?

GASTAT explicitly ties these results to Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom's plan to diversify its economy and improve quality of life. The initiative spans economic, food, environmental, health, social, political, and technological sectors. Security ranks as a pillar of that broader transformation.

For foreign investors and tech companies evaluating regional headquarters, safety rankings carry weight. Riyadh has been positioning itself as a hub for global firms, and a top G20 safety score strengthens that pitch. The ranking also matters for talent acquisition. Engineers and executives weigh personal safety when considering relocation.

How does Saudi Arabia compare to other G20 members?

The G20 includes the world's largest economies: the United States, China, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, India, Brazil, and others. Historically, Japan and some European nations have scored well on safety perception surveys. Saudi Arabia's first-place finish signals a shift.

The report does not detail the exact scores of other G20 members, so we cannot quantify the margin. But topping a group that includes traditionally safe countries like Japan and Canada is significant. It reflects either genuine improvement in Saudi Arabia, declining perceptions elsewhere, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Saudi Arabia's safety ranking among G20 countries in 2025?

Saudi Arabia ranked first among all G20 nations for perceived safety, based on GASTAT data derived from the UN Sustainable Development Goals Indicators Database.

What percentage of Saudi residents feel safe walking alone at night?

97.7% of the total population reported feeling safe walking alone at night in their residential neighborhoods.

How does female safety perception compare to male in Saudi Arabia?

94.9% of adult females feel safe at night, with 81.7% feeling very safe. Among adult males, 88.2% reported feeling very safe.

Is the Saudi safety ranking based on crime statistics or perception?

The ranking is perception-based, measuring how safe residents feel rather than actual crime rates. Both metrics matter but answer different questions.

How does Saudi Arabia's safety ranking connect to Vision 2030?

GASTAT frames the results as evidence of Vision 2030 progress, which includes security as a pillar of the kingdom's economic and social transformation plan.

Source: https://saudigazette.com.sa / Saudi Gazette report