The Safest Country In The Western Hemisphere: Two Shocking Contenders For 2024

The question of the "safest country in the Western Hemisphere" is no longer a simple answer. As of December 2025, the title is fiercely contested by two nations using drastically different metrics: one relies on a holistic, decades-long commitment to peace and stability measured by the Global Peace Index (GPI), while the other boasts a recent, historic, and controversial drop in its homicide rate, claiming the title of the lowest in the Americas. This dichotomy requires a deep dive into what 'safety' truly means in the modern geopolitical landscape.

For years, the title was almost automatically granted to a handful of stable nations in Central and South America. However, new, dramatic security developments have shifted the conversation, forcing experts and travelers alike to re-evaluate the true measure of safety, security, and peacefulness across the Americas.

The Traditional Champion: Why Argentina Tops the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024

When measuring a country's safety, the gold standard is often the Global Peace Index (GPI), produced annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The GPI doesn't just look at crime; it assesses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation.

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According to the latest 2024 Global Peace Index, the most peaceful country in the Western Hemisphere, based on the overall comprehensive score, is Argentina.

Argentina: Highest Overall Score in the Americas (GPI Rank 48)

Argentina achieved a global rank of 48th in the 2024 GPI, making it the highest-ranked nation in the Americas. This ranking is a testament to its relative political stability and low levels of external conflict. The GPI noted that South America was the only region in the world to record an overall improvement in peacefulness in 2024, with Argentina recording one of the largest improvements.

• Political Stability: While facing economic challenges, Argentina maintains strong institutional stability compared to many neighbors.
• Low Militarisation: The country scores well in the Militarisation domain, reflecting a relatively low level of military expenditure and personnel per capita.
• Societal Security: While urban crime exists, the overall rates of violent crime, political terror, and internal conflict are significantly lower than the regional average, securing its position as the safest in South America.

The Close Contenders: Costa Rica and Uruguay

While Argentina holds the top overall rank, two other nations are often cited as the most peaceful, especially within specific sub-regions:

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Costa Rica (GPI Rank 58): Often called the "Switzerland of Central America," Costa Rica remains the most peaceful country in its immediate region. Its safety reputation is largely built on its historic decision to abolish its army in 1948, which gives it an exceptionally low score in the Militarisation category. The national philosophy of Pura Vida (Pure Life) reflects a long-standing commitment to democracy, environmental protection, and social welfare. However, the 2024 GPI noted a slight deterioration in its score, likely due to rising organized crime related to drug trafficking in the region.

Uruguay (GPI Rank 48-50 range): Uruguay is frequently ranked as the second safest country in South America, consistently scoring well across all GPI metrics. It is known for its progressive social policies, strong democratic institutions, and high quality of life, which contribute to its long-term societal safety and security.

The Shocking New Contender: El Salvador’s Historic Homicide Rate Drop

In a dramatic and unprecedented turn of events, a different country now claims the title of the safest in the Western Hemisphere based on the most visceral and often-cited metric of safety: the intentional homicide rate.

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As of late 2024, El Salvador has claimed a historic low homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure is not only lower than any other nation in Central or South America, but it is also lower than the homicide rates in the United States and Canada, positioning El Salvador as the nation with the lowest murder rate in the entire Western Hemisphere.

The Context: The Bukele Crackdown and the State of Exception

This massive, rapid reduction in violent crime is a direct result of the controversial security strategy implemented by President Nayib Bukele, known as the *Estado de Excepción* (State of Exception), which began in 2022.

• The Transformation: El Salvador was once known as the "murder capital of the world," with a homicide rate as high as 103 per 100,000 in 2015 and 53.1 per 100,000 in 2019. The 2024 rate of 1.9 per 100,000 represents a 98% drop in just a few years.
• The Strategy: The State of Exception involves the suspension of certain constitutional rights, including the right to a fair trial and freedom of assembly, to allow for mass arrests of suspected gang members (*maras*). This crackdown has led to the incarceration of over 80,000 individuals, resulting in the world's highest incarceration rate and the construction of massive new prisons.
• The Controversy: While the streets are safer from gang violence, the GPI's broader metrics would likely penalize El Salvador heavily. The dramatic reduction in crime has been accompanied by widespread reports of human rights abuses, arbitrary detentions, and a severe deterioration of the rule of law and civil liberties. These factors would negatively impact its score in the Societal Safety and Security domain.

Which Country is *Truly* the Safest? A Comparative Analysis

The choice between Argentina and El Salvador as the "safest country in the Western Hemisphere" depends entirely on your definition of safety.

For the Long-Term Resident or Investor (Political Stability & Rule of Law)

The Winner: Argentina (and Costa Rica)

If safety is defined by long-term stability, democratic health, low militarisation, and respect for human rights, the GPI's criteria are superior. For those seeking a place to live, invest, or retire where the rule of law is robust and political institutions are sound, nations like Argentina and Costa Rica offer a more reliable, sustainable form of peacefulness. They are the safest environments for civil liberties and political freedom.

For the Tourist Concerned with Violent Crime (Personal Security)

The Winner: El Salvador

If safety is defined strictly by the immediate threat of being a victim of a violent crime, particularly homicide, then El Salvador has made a compelling, statistical case. The elimination of the notorious gang presence has fundamentally altered the personal security landscape. For a short-term visitor, the risk of murder is now statistically lower than in many parts of the US. However, a traveler should still be aware of the underlying political tension and the risk of being caught in a security operation.

In conclusion, the most peaceful and stable country in the Western Hemisphere, according to the comprehensive 2024 Global Peace Index, is Argentina. But for raw, measurable personal security from the threat of murder, the title currently belongs to the controversial new champion, El Salvador, whose dramatic security transformation has reset the standard for low crime rates in the Americas.