Countries to Avoid in 2026
October 10, 2026 — Rankings updated daily from 30+ data sources
Cite this rankingThese countries have the highest danger ratings, with a majority of government travel advisories at level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Europe
This list includes 2 European countries. Most common risk factor: armed conflict.
Asia
This list includes 3 Asian countries. Most common risk factor: weak governance.
- 4 · Afghanistan · 3.6 Weakest: governance 1.8/10 Afghanistan scores 3.6/10 — 22 of 22 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 11 · Myanmar · 4.1 Weakest: governance 2.2/10 Myanmar scores 4.1/10 — 11 of 22 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 17 · North Korea · 4.8 Weakest: governance 2.2/10 North Korea scores 4.8/10 — 10 of 18 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
Africa
This list includes 8 African countries. Most common risk factor: weak governance.
- 1 · Sudan · 3.4 Weakest: conflict 2.1/10 Sudan scores 3.4/10 — 17 of 20 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 2 · South Sudan · 3.5 Weakest: governance 1.4/10 South Sudan scores 3.5/10 — 19 of 21 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 5 · Mali · 3.7 Weakest: conflict 2.9/10 Mali scores 3.7/10 — 19 of 21 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 6 · Central African Republic · 3.7 Weakest: governance 1.9/10 Central African Republic scores 3.7/10 — 17 of 20 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 8 · Somalia · 3.8 Weakest: governance 2.7/10 Somalia scores 3.8/10 — 14 of 20 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 13 · Niger · 4.1 Weakest: health 3.0/10 Niger scores 4.1/10 — 15 of 21 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 14 · Burkina Faso · 4.3 Weakest: conflict 3.1/10 Burkina Faso scores 4.3/10 — 12 of 20 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 18 · Libya · 4.8 Weakest: governance 1.9/10 Libya scores 4.8/10 — 17 of 21 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
The Americas
This list includes 1 country in the Americas. Most common risk factor: weak governance.
The Middle East
This list includes 6 Middle Eastern countries. Most common risk factor: weak governance.
- 3 · Yemen · 3.5 Weakest: governance 1.3/10 Yemen scores 3.5/10 — 20 of 21 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 10 · Syria · 3.9 Weakest: conflict 2.8/10 Syria scores 3.9/10 — 20 of 22 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 12 · Iran · 4.1 Weakest: governance 2.9/10 Iran scores 4.1/10 — 21 of 24 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 15 · Iraq · 4.5 Weakest: governance 2.8/10 Iraq scores 4.5/10 — 16 of 22 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 16 · Palestine · 4.6 Weakest: conflict 3.0/10 Palestine scores 4.6/10 — 11 of 17 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
- 19 · Lebanon · 4.8 Weakest: governance 2.7/10 Lebanon scores 4.8/10 — 14 of 23 advisories are currently at the highest level (Do Not Travel).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between countries to avoid and the most dangerous countries ranking?
The most-dangerous ranking is sorted purely by the lowest 1-10 safety scores, while this list focuses on countries that official government advisories currently recommend avoiding. The two overlap heavily but are not identical, because advisories also reflect diplomatic and consular factors.
Which government advisories does this list rely on?
We aggregate official travel advisories from multiple governments, including the United States, Canada, Australia and several European foreign ministries. Together with 7 other public sources they feed the five weighted pillars (conflict 30%, crime 25%, health 20%, governance 15%, environment 10%), refreshed daily.
How current is this list of countries to avoid?
It is rebuilt every day from the latest advisory levels and safety scores. A Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory weighs heavily toward a low score rather than capping it at a fixed number, so escalations show up within 24 hours.
Why is this list grouped by region?
Advisory levels and armed-conflict data cluster geographically, so grouping by region makes the pattern easier to scan. Each country's number is still its rank in the full worldwide list, not just within its region.