List of safest countries to be in if WW3 breaks out

The joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, set off retaliatory strikes across the region and sent shockwaves well beyond it.

Violence spread on Sunday (1 March), reaching more locations as the death toll climbed.

The joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which started on Saturday (28 February), stoked fears of a wider war and damage to the world economy, with global reaction ranging from jubilation to condemnation.

Given the current political climate, many have been left wondering where the safest country would be if WW3 did break out following this weekend’s events.

Experts tend to prioritise political neutrality, low militarisation and geographic isolation as markers of safety, and according to the Institute for Economics & Peace, the top peaceful nations share traits like strong institutions and low conflict involvement.

With that said, however, such experts have made clear that ‘safe’ is relative, as even the most peaceful countries would be affected by fallout from a world war, especially if nuclear weapons were involved.

Antarctica

Antarctica is the most remote continent on Earth, uninhabited except for research stations and far from strategic military targets.

Its isolation and lack of permanent population make it unlikely to be directly involved in conflict, per the Economic Times India.

Iceland

Iceland has been ranked number one on the 2025 Global Peace Index for its minimal militarisation and absence of conflict for decades, per Forbes.

This marks the 17th consecutive year that Iceland has held the top position since the index began in 2008, the BBC adds.

Analysts point to Iceland’s small population and stable society as key safety factors.

New Zealand

Far from major power blocs and conflicts, New Zealand ranks high on peace indices and is seen as geographically sheltered.

Some analysts say its agricultural self-sufficiency and terrain would offer resilience in global turmoil, Forbes outlines.

Annie Jacobsen explained on the Diary of a CEO podcast that New Zealand and Australia are likely to be ‘pretty much what’s left’ in the event of all-out nuclear war.

She added: “You have to imagine people living underground, fighting for food… everywhere except New Zealand and Australia.”

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific island state with minimal strategic value in global geopolitics.

The nearest major landmasses are Papau New Guinea and Australia, and they’re more than 3,000km away.

Its remote location and lack of military infrastructure make it an unlikely focus in global war scenarios, VT reports.

Argentina

Experts on conflict survival point to Argentina’s vast size, agricultural capacity and distance from likely theatres of war as factors that could reduce its direct involvement in conflict.

A 2022 study published in Nature Food found that Argentina was one of the few countries whose agriculture would be able to survive the drop in sunlight and temperature of a nuclear winter.

The Times explained this is because it grows resistant crops and has a low population density. There are currently around 159 people per square km in Indonesia, compared to 279 per square kilometre in the UK.

Switzerland

Long-standing neutrality paired with extensive civil defence infrastructure sets Switzerland apart from other nearby nations.

It has a legal requirement for nuclear shelters in buildings and a strong tradition of avoiding war.

That said, if things did escalate to a nuclear war, it may still be too close to at-risk countries to be truly safe.

Indonesia

While not in the top tier of peace rankings, Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy and dispersed archipelago make it less likely to be a priority military target in a global conflict.

Bhutan

Historically neutral and never involved in international wars, Bhutan’s mountainous terrain and low profile on the world stage make it a commonly cited safe haven in speculative conflict lists.

Chile

Distance from major rival powers and strong infrastructure have led analysts to include Chile among safer areas in the Southern Hemisphere in the event of global war.

It also has plenty of natural resources and boasts the longest coastline in the world.

Fiji

Remote and strategically low profile, Fiji’s isolation in the South Pacific places it away from likely conflict hotspots, making it a recurring pick in speculative safe-country lists.

Its rich volcanic soil is also ideal for agriculture.

South Africa

With developed infrastructure, abundant resources and a relatively stable political environment, South Africa is often included in analyses of countries that might be better placed to cope with global upheaval.