With contributions from: Claudia Gualdi, Farhan Rafi, Lorena Peña, Lorenzo Trevisan
Female solo travel has surged by more than 60% over the past three years, now accounting for 71% of all solo trips worldwide. At the same time, safety concerns are growing. Women reporting anxiety about travel rose from 64% to 70% in just one year. This contrast shows that while more women are embracing independent travel than ever before, the need for safer, tailored and women-focused experiences is increasing.
Globally, women continue to face significant legal and social restrictions. According to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report, women enjoy only around 77% of the legal rights that men have. Such restrictions, combined with harassment and gender-based violence, continue to shape their travel experiences worldwide.
Female travellers face specific safety risks, including:
- Sexual harassment and assault
- Harassment on public transport and in public spaces
- Verbal and physical intimidation
- Gender-based discrimination and legal differences
- A heightened perception of vulnerability
Riskline’s Female Traveller Safety Map
Click here to see the full map.
To help women navigate these challenges, Riskline has created the 2026 Female Traveller Risk Map. This map highlights 29 countries classified as “high concern” for women, where extra precautions are strongly recommended. The countries are listed below by region:
- Americas: Brazil, Mexico, Haiti, Honduras
- Asia-Pacific: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, East Timor
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone
- Middle East and North Africa: Chad, Iraq, Mali, Niger, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, West Bank and Gaza
In contrast, safer destinations for female travellers continue to include countries in Europe, as well as Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, China, South Korea and Australia.
Highlights
- Europe remains one of the safest regions for female travellers.
- In the Asia-Pacific region, countries such as Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Australia are considered safe. Meanwhile, others present the highest risk, like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea.
- Across the Americas, safety can differ considerably even within a single country. For instance, in Brazil and Mexico, travel experiences may vary by region. In Brazil, states such as Bahia and Pernambuco report higher-than-average risks, whereas Santa Catarina was considered the safest state in 2025.
- The highest risk levels globally remain concentrated in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The ongoing conflict between Iran and the US–Israel alliance in March 2026 is rapidly changing the security conditions for travellers. Women should evaluate their personal risk profile and the necessity of travel in these uncertain times, as many countries discourage non-essential travel due to heightened safety concerns in the region. The widespread disruptions to air travel and transport translate into the need to reroute journeys to avoid airspace closures, make alternative visa arrangements, or delay return flights. All these are additional challenges for women stranded in the area where political instability, social unrest and gaps in infrastructure already represent serious challenges.
Our methodology
Our Female Traveller Safety Map provides an overview of global travel safety for women, based on Riskline’s internal data on three key factors: Laws and Customs, Safety, and Health and Wellness:
- Laws and Customs: local dress codes, behavioural expectations and social norms.
- Safety: rates of harassment, sexual assault and overall personal security.
- Health and Wellness: access to gynaecological and reproductive health services, feminine hygiene products and general healthcare standards.
Challenges for female business travellers
Corporate travel often overlooks gender-specific safety needs. A 2025 GBTA survey found that although most travel buyers (74%) are women, only 27% say their corporate travel policies specifically address female traveller safety. Other key findings from GBTA’s October 2025 data include:
- 62% of travel buyers believe female employees face greater risk than men.
- 55% of travel managers feel women’s voices are adequately represented in shaping travel programs; 23% say they are not, and another 23% are unsure.
Best practices for supporting female travellers
Companies can reduce risk and support women through clear safety policies, logistical planning and pre-trip guidance. Recommendations include:
- Early flight schedules and avoiding solo travel at night.
- Accommodation in safe, well-located areas with vetted transportation options.
- Reliable communication channels and access to assistance at all times.
- Guidance on local customs, health standards and safety measures.
Riskline tools for female traveller safety
Riskline offers several products to help travellers and organisations manage risk:
- Travel Search: Features a Female Safety Index assessing laws, customs, safety and health services.
- TripReady: A quick overview of female safety concerns.
- Female Traveller Safety Reports: Detailed country-specific reports supporting Duty of Care obligations, covering laws, customs, safety and health.
As female travel continues to grow, understanding the evolving safety landscape is essential for travellers and businesses. Riskline’s Female Traveller Safety Map and reports provide actionable insights to plan safe, empowering journeys for women across the globe.