TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A prominent global database, Numbeo, recently released its list of the safest cities in the world, with Abu Dhabi once again securing the top spot in 2025.
Boasting an impressive crime index score of 11.2 and a safety index of 88.8, Abu Dhabi sets the global benchmark. But how do the urban centers of Southeast Asia fare in this global assessment?
Among 385 cities worldwide, Indonesia's Bali is ranked 239th, showing a crime index of 49.7 and a safety index of 50.3. The capital, Jakarta, trails slightly at 263rd, with a crime index of 52.9 and a safety index of 47.1.
These Indonesian locales are far outranked by their regional counterparts. Chiang Mai, Thailand, for instance, secures an impressive 22nd global spot, while the city-state of Singapore ranks 26th internationally.
Top 10 safest cities in Southeast Asia
Here is the list of the top 10 safest cities in Southeast Asia, according to the 2025 Numbeo report:
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand - with a crime index of 22.2 and a safety index of 77.8.
2. Singapore, Singapore - Crime Index: 22.6, Safety Index: 77.4
3. Davao, Philippines - Crime Index: 28.5, Safety Index: 71.5
4. Penang, Malaysia - Crime Index: 30.0, Safety Index: 70.0
5. Hanoi, Vietnam - Crime Index: 34.2, Safety Index: 65.8
6. Makati, Philippines - Crime Index: 38.1, Safety Index: 61.9
7. Bangkok, Thailand - Crime Index: 38.6, Safety Index: 61.4
8. Iloilo, Philippines - Crime Index: 40.2, Safety Index: 59.8
9. Pattaya, Thailand - Crime Index: 46.2, Safety Index: 53.8
10. Johor Bahru, Malaysia - Crime Index: 49.0, Safety Index: 51.0
Understanding Numbeo's Safety Metrics
Numbeo functions is a collaborative global database that provides information on living costs, quality of life, and safety levels across various cities and countries worldwide. This information is meticulously gathered through user contributions and subsequently utilized to compile numerous global rankings and indexes.
Numbeo's safest city index is compiled based on user-contributed data related to perceptions of crime levels, the prevailing feeling of safety, and the direct experiences reported by residents living in those cities.
Crucially, a lower crime index value signifies a higher level of perceived safety within a city. Conversely, a high safety index directly reflects an elevated sense of security among the local population.
A high safety index profoundly impacts the quality of life for residents, empowering them to engage in daily activities more freely and without fear, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, families, and the elderly, for whom personal safety is a crucial aspect of their well-being.
In addition, a strong reputation for safety considerably boosts a city's appeal to business owners and international investors, positioning it as a strategic nexus for global corporate headquarters, major international conferences, and pivotal investment centers.
Similar advantageous effects are observed within the tourism sector, as both leisure and business travelers are instinctively drawn to destinations widely recognized for their secure environment.
Zulkifli Ramadhani and Mila Novita contributed to the writing of this article.
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