This country was deemed the safest for solo female travelers

A new study reveals the safest countries in the world for solo female travelers to visit including the number one safest country based on crime rates against women, attitudes toward gender and other factors. You might be surprised to see which country topped the list.

Popular solo female travel blogger The Blonde Abroad says “I firmly believe that solo travel for women is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and the world. Taking a solo trip is a fantastic way to grow.” As a long-time advocate for solo female travel, Kiki from The Blonde Abroad acknowledges that solo traveling can be challenging and intimidating for women. However, she encourages women to push forward and get out and experience life.

International Women’s Day is March 8th and as it approaches a new Bounce study reviewed and analyzed a variety of factors that might contribute to a safe solo female travel experience. Their new index considered items such as attitudes towards violence against women, frequency of violence against women, crime rates, laws against domestic violence and more.

Their safety index then stack-ranked countries around the world to determine which was the safest country for solo female travelers.

Top of the list?

Ireland, which scored the highest largely in part due to the many laws on the books designed to prevent violence against women.

Picking up 2nd and 3rd place respectively were Austria and Norway, each places where women report high degrees of safety including walking alone at night.

At the bottom of list where the United States, Costa Rica and Colombia.

See the full list here.