India has been ranked 67th globally in the latest Numbeo Safety Index (mid-2025), with an overall safety score of 55.8.
However, the city-wise breakdown paints a more nuanced picture—Mangalore has emerged as the safest city in the country, securing the 49th position globally with a high safety index of 74.2.
Gujarat dominates the Indian rankings, with three of its cities—Vadodara (69.2), Ahmedabad (68.2), and Surat (66.6)—claiming the next three spots.
Celebrating the achievement, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi posted on X, “Congratulations Gujarat! Vadodara, Surat, Ahmedabad among Top 5 Safest Cities in India according to the Numbeo Safety Index!”
The state’s strong performance has been attributed to multiple factors, including its long-standing prohibition on alcohol, which officials and analysts say contributes to a more disciplined and peaceful society.
Gujarat also has a reputation for being particularly safe for women—especially during cultural festivals like Navratri, when large numbers of women participate in late-night festivities such as garba with a strong sense of security. Vadodara, the Garba capital, leads among Gujarat cities in safety rankings.
The report also highlights that a significant share of criminal incidents in Gujarat involves individuals from outside the state, reinforcing the perception that local communities are largely peace-loving and law-abiding.
On the other end of the spectrum, Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad have been rated as the most unsafe among Indian cities. Delhi recorded a crime index of 59.03, followed closely by Ghaziabad (58.44) and Noida (55.1).
These cities continue to face persistent challenges, particularly concerning women’s safety, contributing to their poor rankings.
Numbeo’s rankings are based on public perceptions of threats such as robbery, assault, harassment, discrimination, and property crimes like burglary and vandalism. The index also accounts for how safe residents feel during the day and at night.
Safest Cities Globally
On the international front, several Middle Eastern cities have earned high safety scores. Abu Dhabi leads the global list with a safety index of 88.8, holding the top position for the ninth year in a row. The UAE also ranked second globally in overall country-level safety.
As Indian cities like Mangalore and those in Gujarat make strides in urban safety, the 2025 rankings underscore the growing importance of civic infrastructure, community policing, and social cohesion in shaping secure urban environments.
