The ranking is based on the Gallup Global Safety Report 2025, which evaluates citizens' perceptions of safety and personal security worldwide. Rwanda scored 78% for safety at night, ahead of the UK (76%) and France (73%), and placed 38th globally. The United States ranked 61st with a score of 71%.
The survey revealed that 78% of Rwandan adults feel safe walking alone in their country after dark. On the continent, Rwanda and Algeria shared second place behind Egypt, which scored 82%. In the region, Tanzania scored 68%, Uganda 48%, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo 47%, while Burundi was not included in the survey.
The study covered 144 countries, evaluating public confidence in safety, personal security, and freedom of movement. Globally, Singapore ranked first with a 98% score, followed by Tajikistan (95%), China (94%), Oman (94%), and Saudi Arabia (93%).
In Europe, Norway led with 91%, followed by Denmark (89%), Finland (88%), Iceland (88%), and Switzerland (88%). The lowest-ranking countries included South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini.
Rwandans' confidence in their safety aligns with findings from the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) survey conducted in November 2024. The study found high levels of trust in national security institutions: the Fire Brigade (76.6%), DASSO (86.1%), the National Police (97.1%), and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) (99.0%).
The findings are further supported by the Rule of Law Index 2024, which ranks Rwanda among the safest countries in Africa due to its strong adherence to legal frameworks. Since 2021, Rwanda has consistently ranked at the top in Africa and improved its global standing, reaching 27th worldwide in 2023, up from 33rd in 2021.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
