If World War III breaks out this is where you will be safest

Where to run?
The Global Peace Index
Iceland: The safest place on Earth
Iceland has a tradition of pacifism
New Zeland: Another remote sanctuary of peace
The second most peaceful place on Earth
Denmark: Safe if you count Greenland
Greenland would be the perfect hideout
Portugal: A boa vida
Portugal is far West from potential conflict
Slovenia: The calm of former Yugoslavia
Maybe not the safest spot since Russia invaded Ukraine
Austria: Permanent neutrality
Austria isn't a part of NATO
Switzerland
The Swiss a known for being neutral
Ireland
Would not being a part of NATO keep Ireland peaceful?
Czech Republic: Kafka country
Probably not that safe but it would still be beautiful to visit
Canada: Refugee haven in the Americas
Canada is the 10th safest country
Singapore: the safest Asian country
The place to be in case of WWIII in Asia
Japan: Working towards peace
Japan avoids conflict
Finland: The Final Frontier
Not a safe place any longer
Norway: The northern way
Norway wouldn't be our first choice
Sweden could be risky
Maybe not too safe, but certainly beautiful
Australia and the great outback
Australia is far from other large nations
The problem with globalization
Where to run?

Where should you go if a world war breaks out? Where would you be safest? With everything going on in the world, these thoughts have crossed many people's minds.

 

The Global Peace Index

The Institute for Economics & Peace has the answer. This think tank released a list of the most peaceful countries on Earth, following geopolitical and strategic criteria. The 2021 Global Peace Index has some revealing results.

Image: Derek Thomson / Unsplash

Iceland: The safest place on Earth

Iceland is, according to the 2021 Global Peace Index, the nation with the biggest chance to remain in peace amidst a world war.

Image: Josh Reid / Unsplash

Iceland has a tradition of pacifism

It has a tradition of pacifism and remote geographic location, very north and isolated in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of NATO but doesn't have an army, only a coast guard and a police force.

New Zeland: Another remote sanctuary of peace

New Zealand is in second place in the Global Peace Index.

Image: Ömer Faruk Bekdemir / Unsplash

The second most peaceful place on Earth

Being the second 'most peaceful' nation on Earth is related to its geography, far from superpowers like Russia or the United States, the most likely participants in a potential global conflict.

Denmark: Safe if you count Greenland

Denmark getting the third spot on the list is a matter of controversy if we think how secure could it contrasted to a possible war in Europe.

Greenland would be the perfect hideout

Besides, this Scandinavian nation is also part of NATO. Though, Greenland is also Danish territory and could be the perfect hideout in case of a worldwide skirmish.

Portugal: A boa vida

Portugal is a country that, historically speaking, has avoided joining in global conflicts.

Image: Daniel Seßler / Unsplash

Portugal is far West from potential conflict

It is part of NATO, but its geographical situation on the westernmost coast of Europe makes this an ideal place to flee from a hypothetical war.

Slovenia: The calm of former Yugoslavia

Slovenia became independent of Yugoslavia after the Ten-Day War, and since then it has remained apart from virtually any conflict.

Imagen: Johnny Africa / Unsplash

Maybe not the safest spot since Russia invaded Ukraine

This seems to have changed due to Ukraine's current situation, with the Slovene Prime Minister joining Poland and Czechia in its support to Ukraine.

Austria: Permanent neutrality

After suffering the annexation of Nazi Germany and World War Two, Austria has done its best to preserve its neutrality among the world powers.

Image: Paul Gilmore / Unsplash

Austria isn't a part of NATO

The Central-European nation signed in 1955 a Declaration of “permanent neutrality” after being occupied by the Soviet Union, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. It's part of the EU, but not of NATO.

Switzerland

Running to the Swiss Alps might be a very smart choice if World War 3 ever starts.

Image: Patrick Robert Doyle / Unsplash

The Swiss a known for being neutral

Switzerland has a worldwide reputation for peace and neutrality, and time has not affected this great custom.

Ireland

Ireland could also be a safe choice, and in addition the calming green hills would be good for the nerves is WWIII is happening.

 

Image: Wynand van Poortvliet / Unsplash

Would not being a part of NATO keep Ireland peaceful?

Ireland is not a member of NATO. Let's hope that its peaceful landscapes won't be ruined in case of a global conflict.

Czech Republic: Kafka country

The Global Peace Index was made before the Ukrainian conflict broke out, which no doubt has a negative effect on the Czech Republic's ranking, given that it's a NATO member with active participation in the ongoing crisis.

Image: Ryan Lum / Unsplash

Probably not that safe but it would still be beautiful to visit

Nonetheless, wandering the streets of Prague (pictured) can be a balm for the soul in such a critical moment.

Canada: Refugee haven in the Americas

Canada has always played an important role as a host country for refugees from around the globe and maintaining its peace.

Image: Jason Hafso / Unsplash

Canada is the 10th safest country

That's why it is on the 10th spot on the Global Peace Index.

Singapore: the safest Asian country

The island city-state of Singapore is number one among the Asian countries.

Image: Mike Enerio / Unsplash

The place to be in case of WWIII in Asia

It is unsurprising that Singapore is safe, it is normally quite neutral and has strict laws.

Japan: Working towards peace

Japan is listed as one of the safest countries in regard to a potential skirmish. Since World War Two, Japan has had a Self-Defense Force in place of a conventional military.

Image: Tianshu Liu / Unsplash

Japan avoids conflict

Japan is focused on peacekeeping missions and not engaging in conflicts outside its borders.

Finland: The Final Frontier

This northern European nation is known for its beautiful arctic landscapes and a tradition of relative neutrality.

Image: Maria Vojtovicova / Unsplash

Not a safe place any longer

However, Putin's threat to the country over Finland joining NATO makes us question the country's status as a safe haven in case of WWIII.

Norway: The northern way

Norway follows Finland in the Global Peace Index. The Scandinavian nation has generally been a very peaceful place...

Image: Michael Fousert / Unsplash

Norway wouldn't be our first choice

...but with the convoluted situation that the world is facing right now, it's hard to say if things have changed.

Sweden could be risky

Putin also made a stern warning to Sweden to remain out of the Ukrainian conflict, putting the Scandinavian country's spot on the list at risk.

Image: Jon Flobrant / Unsplash

Maybe not too safe, but certainly beautiful

However, if Russia isn't involved in a WWIII, would be a nice place to remain safe.

Australia and the great outback

Australia possesses an enormous territory capable of managing a large influx of migrants.

Imagen: Photoholgic / Unsplash

Australia is far from other large nations

Australia is distant enough from global powers to avoid any potential threat.

The problem with globalization

However, in such an interconnected world as we live in right now, it seems that any conflict has far-reaching repercussions.

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