Safest Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad in 2025

Given the current geopolitical tensions between major countries like the USA and Russia, and war-like situations between countries like Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Iran, to name a few, Indian students remain on the lookout for safer options to study abroad. These political tensions, along with the changing study visa policies by countries like Canada and the USA, have led to the return and deportation of several Indian students mid-way through their academic degrees. Read this article to learn about the safest countries for Indian students to study abroad.

The countries listed as the “safest countries” usually have a long-standing stable history of no wars, low crime rates, stable political conditions, minimal militarisation, and high societal safety. In most cases, these are also the countries which are safe for international students going to study abroad. This article presents you with the top 10 safest countries in the world to study abroad in 2025 so you can plan the next 3-5 crucial years of your life safely. 

Also Read: Top 10 Safest Cities in the World for Students in 2025-26

Top 10 Safest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students

In the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) rankings 2025, Iceland tops the list, but this may not be a top choice for Indian students to study abroad, as the country hosts a limited number of universities, adding to that the weather conditions in the country are also drastic. So, Indian students will still have to live on the edge. In this article, we have handpicked the safest countries which are also good to study abroad for Indian students in the long run. Check out the list of the safest countries for Indian students that also have some notable universities to study abroad in 2025. 

Here are some of the benefits of choosing the above locations to study abroad in 2025:

• The countries listed as the “safest countries to study abroad for Indian students” have some of the best universities in the world and are also among the top emerging locations for studying abroad.
• The countries are consistently ranked “safe” in the Global Peace Index (GPI), which ensures a safe and secure stay for the Indian students while in these countries for higher education.
• These countries are less costly alternatives to the major conventional study abroad destinations. 
• These countries also have post-study work policies and job opportunities in place. So, students going to study in these countries can remain worry-free after completing their education.

Check: How To Plan Your Study Abroad Application Process?

What Makes a Country Safe for Students?

The safety of international students in a foreign country depends on several factors. Read below the safety parameters that we have considered in compiling the list of the safest countries to study abroad for Indian students:

1. Low crime rates in the host country

The low crime rate of a country is attributed to the consistently low criminal offences in that country. The low crime rate often renders to general safety (meaning being less prone to street crimes such as theft, assault, harassment), campus safety (by virtue of security measures such as CCTV surveillance, campus patrols, and emergency systems taken in place at universities) and women’s safety of international safety at a foreign land. Check the safety tips for international students in Germany.

2. Welcoming and friendly local community

A "welcoming and friendly local community" generally refers to a location where the residents are hospitable, are tolerant and open to accepting diversity, and generally have a positive attitude towards newcomers, including international students. Most places also have dedicated laws in place that deal with cases of racism, xenophobia, and religious bias. These countries are often considered the best countries to study abroad for Indians.

3. Presence of your country’s mission/posts/embassies 

A country’s posts/missions/embassies in a foreign country where its students are going to study keep a track of students injured, attacked or those who died due to attacks and injuries. These missions remain on track with students to understand the nature and reason of their grievances, conduct university visits to accredit and acknowledge students’ safety and lend any form of help that the students need in the foreign country. 

The missions regularly release advisories for students in case of an outbreak of war or if a big shift in the visa policies or political conditions of the host country arises. The missions also help students return to their homes safely in adverse conditions. Check Safely Tips for International Students in the USA.

4. Lower Violent Attacks on International Students

It goes without saying that a place where the international students’ community is harassed or attacked is not a safe place at all. Some countries report frequent hate crimes or discrimination against international students. The safest countries on our list have very few such incidents, and they often have strict legal consequences in place for offenders. In this essence, the number of violent attacks reported by Indian students in foreign countries is given below:

Image Source: MEA

Check: Indian Student Safety Concerns in the US

5. Strong social and student support systems

This includes campus security, mental health support, academic guidance, emergency response systems, and access to basic rights. Countries with strong student support services in place also have rights related to accommodation, employment, medical care, and fair treatment. Countries like Canada and the Netherlands are global leaders in providing student welfare. 

6. No history of wars, minimal militarisation and stable political conditions

A country with a long history of peace, low militarisation, and neutral diplomatic stance ensures long-term safety and academic continuity. In this case, countries like Switzerland and Austria are the prime examples of countries with a long-standing history of political stability. Check the top 10 countries to immigrate to from India.

7. Proximity & Connectivity to India

In case of war, war-like situation or any other adversities, there should be a facility that can take you back to your home country safely. In that case, the availability of direct flight routes, the availability of Indian consulates/embassies, and ease of travel in emergencies play a good role.

8. Reputation & Feedback from Current Students

Student reviews, alumni feedback, and forums also play a big role in determining the actual reality of the safety of students. Students often share their experiences, and some even take part in the surveys, which often help the new student community flying from all over the world. 

Check the top myths about studying abroad that Indian students believe. 

Now, let's examine why our top 10 listed countries are the safest for Indian students to study abroad. 

What Makes These 10 Countries the Safest Picks for Indian Students in 2025?

Why are the above-listed countries the safest, and why are they included in our top safest countries to study abroad list? Check out the explanations below. 

1. Ireland

Ireland ranks second on the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025, just after Iceland - but it takes first place on our list of safest study abroad destinations. Why? Because Ireland isn't just peaceful - it's practical.

With world-class universities, diverse course options, student-friendly visa policies, and ample job opportunities for international students, Ireland checks all the right boxes.

The country boasts a warm and inclusive community, where racist hate crimes are rare, and petty crime rates are comparable to any major city. On the Global Terrorism Index, Ireland holds the 90th position out of 163 countries, with an impressively low score of 0.233/10 - remember, the lower the score, the safer the country. In fact, Ireland reported zero terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries, or hostage situations in the past year.

👉 Check the Top 6 Reasons to Study in Ireland as an International Student

Ireland is also the only native English-speaking country in the EU, offering affordable, high-quality education — often at lower costs than other Western European countries. Home to globally respected institutions like Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University, Ireland is especially attractive for STEM and business graduates seeking strong career prospects.

👉 Explore Life in Ireland as a Non-European International Student

2. New Zealand

Second on our list of the safest countries to study abroad is New Zealand. This scenic beauty is not just peaceful, but also has a very transparent government in place, which adds a sense of a secure environment for the tourists and international students. What does this mean? Well, this means that there is no racism or other caste or cultural differences in the country. The country offers work rights to international students during and after their studies.

In the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025, New Zealand stands in the 3rd place and is known for having a consistently low crime rate, especially violent crimes. This ensures that you feel safe day-to-day in the country. The country also stands at 94th position with a 0.217 out of 10 score in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) list, which means that the country reported very less cases of incidents, fatalities, injuries, or hostage situations due to terrorist attacks. The country has zero reported cases of terrorist incidents, fatalities and injuries due to terrorist attacks, and hostages by terrorists in the last year. There is also a strong Indian diaspora, offering a cultural safety net.

All 8 public universities in New Zealand are ranked globally, focusing on practical and research-based learning that prepares you for the real world. The generous 3-year post-study work permit in New Zealand for international students gives you ample time to look for a good job after you graduate. Adding to these, New Zealand has an established, vibrant Indian community that provides a safety net to the Indian students as they find no difficulty in finding good Indian restaurants and enjoy the native festivities even in this foreign country.   

3. Switzerland 

Consistently ranking among the countries with the best education systems in the world, Switzerland, the heaven on earth, is the third safest country for Indian students to study abroad on our list. Due to the high costs involved in living in the country, studying in Switzerland may look like a big investment, but the returns - in education, safety, and lifestyle - are unparalleled. Check the cost of living in Switzerland.

Politically neutral and incredibly stable, Switzerland offers an unmatched quality of life. It’s consistently ranked as one of the most peaceful places on Earth. The country boasts some excellent institutions like ETH Zurich and EPFL, known for their excellence in fields like science, engineering, and hospitality. Lastly, Switzerland ranked in the 5th position in the Global Positive Peace Index (GPPI) Rankings 2022, where positive peace is described as an indicator of “an optimal environment for human potential to flourish”.

4. Austria 

Ranking 17th on the Global Positive Peace Index, 4th on the Global Peace Index, and 82nd on the Global Terrorism Index, Austria is the 4th safest country to study abroad for Indian students. This often overlooked European gem provides excellent education at a relatively lower price. While you should be mindful of pickpockets in busy tourist areas (like in any major city), it's a very secure country. Vienna is often ranked among the top student cities in the world.

Austria's public universities offer excellent education at a much lower cost than many Western European nations. The cost of living in Austria is moderate, between those countries with a high cost of living and those with a low cost of living.  

5. Singapore

A hyper-modern and super-safe city-state, Singapore is a powerhouse of order, safety, and innovation. Its strict laws mean extremely low crime rates, making it one of the safest places you can study. The University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are constantly ranked among the top global universities for courses in business, engineering, and technology. The country's dynamic economy ensures fantastic job prospects for all its graduates. The cost of living in Singapore is around 4.5 times higher than in India; however, with financial aid and scholarships to study in Singapore, this could be managed. 

6. Denmark

Ranking 79th with a score of 0.72/10 on the Global Terrorism Index, Denmark has been reported to have 2 terrorist incidents in the recent year. Even then, the country ranked in 8th position in the Global Peace Index in 2025. Regularly voted one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark's sense of community and social trust translates into a very safe environment for Indian and international students (the 2nd happiest country in 2025 according to World Population Review).

Students often choose the design, architecture, and sustainable energy courses at the top institutes in Denmark, many of which are taught in English. The cost of living in Denmark is fairly affordable, and students can manage their living costs in the country by taking part-time work.

7. Japan

Ranking 13th on the Global Positive Peace Index, 12th on the Global Peace Index and 72nd on the Global Terrorism Index, Japan is renowned for its extremely low crime rates, polite society, and efficient public services. The country offers a unique cultural immersion, with universities like the University of Tokyo offering advanced courses in STEM, robotics, and AI fields. To be more inclusive of the international students’ community, more and more programs are getting taught in English with an enhanced pathway for postgraduate courses in Japan. 

8. Canada

Ranked in 14th position in the GPI list of 2025, Canada is indeed one of the safest countries to study abroad for Indian students. The presence of a large Indian community in the country, temples, Gurudwaras and the celebrations of Indian festivals also adds to the comfort and familiarity when it comes to settling in for Indian students.

While certain provinces in Canada have recently seen visa restrictions, the country remains among the friendliest and safest for Indian students. The country has a multi-cultural environment, a welcoming local community and a low crime rate. The Canadian student visa and work permits are generally in tune with the students’ needs, but this year, starting in 2025, IRCC has increased financial support requirements for Canadian study visa applications, with a minimum of CAN$22,895 required for living expenses in Canada.

9. Netherlands 

With its English-taught programs, safe cities, liberal policies, and efficient public transport, the Netherlands is one of the favourite study abroad locations among Indian and EU students alike. While the country is generally safe for Indian and international students, petty crimes like pickpocketing in the country are quite common, and the current national terrorism threat level is "substantial” as the country received a GTI score of 1.40 and ranked 60 out of the total 163 countries ranked on the Global Terrorism Index. Two incidents, 1 fatality and 1 injury due to terrorist attacks, have been reported in the country as per the GTI 2025 report. Check the top 12 reasons to study in the Netherlands.

10. Australia

While some isolated racial incidents have been reported with international students in the past, Australia still remains one of the top choices due to strong student protections, vibrant cities, the presence of GO8 universities, high quality of living, excellent work opportunities and post-study work rights. As per the current scenario, Australia is generally considered safe; however, certain wildlife encounters can pose risks and threats to life, and petty theft can also occur in tourist areas. Australian universities have a strong focus on courses like IT, engineering, healthcare, education, business, and creative arts. Note that these courses are also in high demand currently in Australia. Adding to this, international students can find high-paying roles in fields like healthcare, engineering, IT, education, and construction.

Qualities the World’s Top 10 Safest Countries for Students Have in Common

The safest countries for Indian students in the world generally share one or more of the following qualities and/or features:

• Consistent high ranking on the Global Peace Index (GPI): The Global Peace Index analyses data from over 23 qualitative and quantitative indices received from the most reputable sources. GPI determines the state of peace prevailing in a region by means of three major criteria, i.e. the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarisation.
• Strong legal systems and enforcement: The police forces in these countries are generally well-trained and community-oriented, and focus on crime prevention to maintain public order.
• Stable governments and low militarisation: These countries typically have stable governments, low levels of corruption, and robust legal systems.
• Student-friendly immigration and post-study work policies: Safe countries for students have clear and student-friendly visa rules, including smooth documentation processes, and less hassle at immigration.
• Inclusive, multicultural societies: These countries generally foster inclusive societies with high levels of social trust and respect for diverse cultures. 
• Consistent monitoring by Indian diplomatic missions: Universities and government bodies often have comprehensive support services tailored to international students, including orientation programs, counselling, and legal assistance.

Read: Top 5 countries to study engineering abroad

This was all about the safest countries to study abroad for Indian students in 2025. If you have any doubts, feel free to write to us in the comments below.