Afghanistan is the most dangerous country in Asia. Asia is the largest continent in the world, with diverse countries, rich history, and vibrant culture. However, this region is full of insecurity, political unrest, conflicts, military conflicts, natural disasters, and high crime rates. Asian countries’ safety index is lower than Australia and Europe, but still, it has many beautiful countries and places to visit. This blog contains the 10 most dangerous countries in Asia with brief details.
10 Most Dangerous Countries In Asia
Global Peace Index 2023 recorded by the World Population Review, the following are the most dangerous countries in Asia;
Countries | GPI Index |
Afghanistan | 3.448 |
Yemen | 3.350 |
Syria | 3.294 |
Iraq | 3.006 |
North Korea | 2.848 |
Pakistan | 2.745 |
Myanmar | 2.741 |
Philipines | 2.229 |
Bangladesh | 2.061 |
Thailand | 2..051 |
1) Afghanistan
Afghanistan is not just the most dangerous country in Asia, rather it is the most dangerous country in the world due to years of conflict. Afghanistan is the hub of terrorism. There are many factors contributing, including the political instability, the presence of militant groups, and consistent economic challenges. After the withdrawal of US forces in 2021, the Taliban took power and imposed strict laws. The presence of extremist groups in Afghanistan leads to a sense of insecurity and violent acts.
2) Yemen
Yemen is considered one of the most dangerous countries in Asia and the top most dangerous country in the world due to its ongoing civil war. This civil war has resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, widespread violence, and huge destruction. Since 2014, Yemen has been facing conflicts, additionally, the people of Yemen are facing food insecurity and the worst healthcare facilities. The poor economic condition of Yemen along with the restricted access to humanitarian aid has increased the suffering of the Yemeni people and made it one of the dangerous countries in Asia.
3) Syria
Syria lies in the Middle East but is often considered in Asia. It is one of Asia’s most dangerous countries and one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to numerous factors. These are the Syrian Civil War which started in 2011, with time external powers such as the US and Russia were involved in the conflict causing immense destruction, violence, and displacement. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, the use of chemical weapons, and massive civilian casualties. Millions of displaced civilians faced multiple health and hunger issues.
4) Iraq
Iraq has been ranked as a dangerous country due to multiple factors including terrorism, political instability, and sectarian violence. The country is still struggling with the aftermath of the US-launched war on Iraq in 2003. The remnants of ISIS and the tensions between the central government and the Kurdish regional government have made the country an insecure place. The years of instability and conflict led to economic and humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Millions of people are displaced, and even access to clean water is limited. Iraq is mostly off-limit to tourism due to all these reasons.
5) North Korea
North Korea is also referred to as one of the most dangerous countries in the Asian continent. The geopolitical tensions, repressive regime, hostile relations with South Korea, and lack of freedom have turned North Korea into a dangerous country. Moreover, North Korea has strained relations with the international community over the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Citizens are living under restricted access to any outside information and visitors have experienced the strict surveillance in North Korea.
6) Pakistan
Many factors are involved in making Pakistan the most dangerous country in Asia. The continuous political instability, the opposition parties’ protests, poor economic conditions, internal insurgency like Baloauchistan, and tensions with neighboring India such as the Kashmir issue. The currently undergoing political and financial crises on top of persistent insurgencies amid the fallout from recent environmental catastrophes have turned Pakistan into a dangerous country. The frequent involvement of the military in politics leads to weak governance. Further, terrorist attacks remain a persistent security threat, making Pakistan a perilous and volatile place.
7) Myanmar
Myanmar is one of the most dangerous countries in the Asian continent due to the continuous political unrest, ethnic conflicts, and military rule. The Rohingya crisis and the military fight against the ethnic groups have escalated tensions within the country. The citizens are experiencing a humanitarian crisis including massive displacements, healthcare issues, and a lack of education. Visitors also feel insecure about visiting conflict-prone countries like Myanmar. So, all these factors have turned Myanmar into a dangerous country.
8) Philippines
The Philippines has been ranked as a dangerous country due to multiple factors due multiple internal factors including the presence of militant groups, political unrest, and kidnappings in specific regions. The New People’s Army clashes in Mindanao and the Abu Sayyaf insurgency have turned the country into one of the most dangerous countries in Asia. Visitors mostly go to Cebu, Manila, Palawan, and Boracay to enjoy the beautiful places in the Philippines. But places such as the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao are avoided by visitors due to bombing and other criminal activities there.
9) Bangladesh
Bangladesh is considered one of the most dangerous countries in Asia and poses significant security challenges. The political violence, strikes, and protests, particularly during the election period also cause instability in the country. The Muslims fled from Myanmar due to violence and took refuge in Bangladesh which also created tensions with the locals. Bangladeshi society is adverse and resilient which prevails during hard times. Bangladesh, as compared to Afghanistan and Pakistan, is considered as safe.
10) Thailand
Thailand is one of the tourist-loved destinations. Every year millions of tourists visit Thailand for its beautiful landscape. It is usually safe for civilians and visitors except in some places. the southern province is considered unsafe. Furthermore, natural disasters including tsunamis and floods also impact the country. Small crimes such as pocket-picking, theft, and scams are common in tourist places too. However, as compared to the countries mentioned above, Thailand is safe for civilians as well as tourists.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the countries facing political unrest, civil wars, terrorism, and military invasions are the most dangerous countries in Asia. Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq have been facing ongoing political instability and conflicts for more than a decade. This has also impeded the growth of these Asian countries. Further, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries are going through economic instability and natural disasters which make these countries dangerous countries to visit.
FAQs
Which Country in Asia Has the Most Crime?
Afghanistan has the highest crime rate in the world which is 78.3, due to this reason it is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
What is the Top 5 Dangerous Country?
The top five dangerous countries in the world are Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine due to civil and political unrest, terrorism, and military invasions.
What Are the Safest Countries in Asia?
As compared to Europe and Australia, Asia scores lower in the safety tendency, but there are many safe places and countries for tourists to enjoy in Asia including Singapore, Japan, Bhutan, and Malaysia.
Which Country Is No. 1 in Asia?
In terms of economy, China is the No. 1 in Asia. China is the fastest-growing economy in the world as well.