Safest cities in Singapore
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in SingaporeTerrorist attacks in Singapore cannot be ruled out.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsViolent crime and theft are rare in Singapore. Take care of your passport. Leave valuables in a hotel safe if possible. Do not leave bags unattended.
- ScamsOnline scams and phone scams are common and may involve individuals pretending to be officials or bank employees.
Laws and cultural differences
- Public offencesThe public display of the national flags or emblems of other countries is illegal except where a specific exemption has been granted. It is illegal to use the Singapore flag and national symbols in ways considered disrespectful.
- Personal IDUse of false ID is illegal in Singapore. Foreigners living in Singapore are issued with an official identity card.
- Outrage of modestyYou should avoid any action that could be interpreted as molestation. Penalties for convicted offenders include fines, imprisonment and caning.
- Alcohol laws and bansThe authorities do not tolerate drunk and disorderly behaviour. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place, besides restaurants, bars and licensed entertainment venues, between 10:30pm and 7am.
- Vaporisers, smoking and e-cigarette bansVapes and e-cigarettes are banned in Singapore. It is illegal to bring them into the country, including for personal use. Those found in possession of vapes or e-cigarettes will have them confiscated and could be fined.
- Illegal drugsThere are severe penalties for all drug offences in Singapore, including possession. Carrying even a small amount of drugs can have significant consequences.
- Arrests and detentionsIf you’re arrested, you might not be allowed to speak with anyone, not even a lawyer while you are questioned.
- Death penaltyA death penalty is a possibility for some offences, including murder and drug trafficking. Penalties for drug offences are severe and possession of even very small quantities can lead to a death penalty.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Singapore. However, the law does not recognise same-sex marriage and partnerships. This means, for example, that foreign residents cannot easily get a dependant’s pass for a same-sex spouse or partner. A child from a same-sex partnership may not be recognised as the child of one or both parents.
- National Service for British dual nationals and permanent residentsThe following are liable for National Service:
- Protests and public demonstrationsAvoid street gatherings and public demonstrations as they will be illegal if they do not have police permission. Foreigners who are not permanent residents are prohibited from attending outdoor demonstrations regardless of police permission. Filming an illegal gathering is forbidden. The wearing of ‘cause-related’ clothing and displaying ‘cause…
- ReligionsBoth public and private Jehovah’s Witness meetings are illegal in Singapore. It is also illegal to possess any Jehovah’s Witness publication, including a Jehovah’s Witness bible. There are similar measures against the Unification Church and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Singapore, see information on driving abroad and read the Singapore Highway Code.
- Arriving or departing by carIf you are arriving in a car that is not registered in Singapore, visit the OneMotoring website to apply for a vehicle entry permit.
- Air travelThe Singaporean authorities will prosecute cases of drunken or antisocial behaviour by air passengers on any aircraft registered in Singapore.
- Sea travelThere have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the waters of Singapore and the Malacca Strait. Set up secure areas on board and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Singapore, updated 2026-03-19 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.17 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.9462023
- Income
- $135,750/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 2.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 87/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 82/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 84/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 0.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.88GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 15.1 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 2.8 doctors /1k2.8 hospital beds per 1,000
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Singapore (as of 2025).
How Singapore compares
| Measure | Singapore | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.2 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −2.2 /100k — better for Singapore |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.946 | 0.763 | +0.183 — better for Singapore |
| Road deaths | 2.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −13.3 /100k — better for Singapore |
| Rule of law | 82/100 | 52/100 | +30/100 — better for Singapore |
| Corruption perceptions | 84/100 | 39/100 | +45/100 — better for Singapore |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 15.1 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −4.6 µg/m³ — better for Singapore |
| Natural-hazard risk | 0.7/10 | 3.8/10 | −3.1/10 — better for Singapore |
| Measure | Singapore | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.2 /100k | 1.8 /100k | −1.6 /100k — better for Singapore |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 33.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.946 | 0.766 | +0.180 — better for Singapore |
| Road deaths | 2.1 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −13.2 /100k — better for Singapore |
| Rule of law | 82/100 | 52/100 | +30/100 — better for Singapore |
| Corruption perceptions | 84/100 | 35/100 | +50/100 — better for Singapore |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 15.1 µg/m³ | 28.6 µg/m³ | −13.5 µg/m³ — better for Singapore |
| Natural-hazard risk | 0.7/10 | 3.7/10 | −3.0/10 — better for Singapore |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Singapore99.3 · #2 worldwide