OMAHA, Neb. – Canada has been ranked the safest country in the world to visit in 2027, according to an annual travel safety survey conducted by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, an American travel insurance provider.
The rankings, released Oct. 28 by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, place Canada first among 15 countries considered the safest destinations for international travellers.
Canada climbed four positions from fifth place in the 2026 rankings, overtaking the Netherlands, which held the top spot last year.
New Zealand placed second for 2027, followed by Australia, Iceland and Japan. Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal rounded out the top 10.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is a travel insurance brand within Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, which provides commercial insurance products and travel insurance programs.
The company's annual World's Safest Places report draws primarily on surveys of American travellers who have visited the countries being evaluated, supplemented by international safety and security data.
Canada received particularly strong ratings for the safety of women, minority travellers and LGBTQ+ travellers.
The report also noted Canada's favourable standing in the Global Peace Index and Global Terrorism Index, contributing to its overall score of 82.47.
Researchers incorporated additional international data into this year's rankings, including information from the World Health Organization and the Equaldex Equality Index.
The report cautions that the rankings reflect travellers' experiences and perceptions during a particular period and may not account for subsequent changes in safety conditions.
While Canada topped the overall list, the report identified wildfires as a significant concern for visitors.
It pointed to recent wildfire seasons in northern Canada that have caused widespread smoke and serious air-quality problems in major Canadian cities.
The report also examined the travel habits of Generation Z, finding that Canada ranked as the third-safest destination among younger American travellers and was their 10th most frequently visited country.
Other notable changes included the United Arab Emirates falling from seventh place in 2026 to 16th in 2027, while several Scandinavian countries improved their positions.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has studied international travel safety for a decade, using traveller surveys and other measures to assess destinations.
The company emphasizes that even travellers visiting highly ranked destinations should take precautions, monitor travel advisories and remain aware of local risks.
The rankings reflect a combination of traveller perceptions and international safety indicators, rather than an official government assessment or a determination that Canada has the world's lowest crime rate or fewest travel-related risks.
