Famed as both a popular business hub and a picturesque holiday destination, it seems like the isle of Malta has it all – and according to the results of this year’s World Risk Report, the small Mediterranean country is also one of the safest places on the planet. The report, which is due to be officially published on October 11th, lists Malta as the second safest place in the world for a second year running.
About the World Risk Report
Also known as the Global Risks Report, the World Risk Report is an annual study developed by the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). The report is published with the aim of identifying the world’s economical, environmental and societal risks faced by 173 nations around the world.
The World Risk Report examines major factors affecting each country, such as poverty levels, education standards and exposure to the hazard of natural disasters, in the hope of determining what makes certain countries better equipped to cope with such threats than others.
Results of the World Risk Report 2011
Last year’s findings showed that Malta faced a very low exposure to threats such as natural disasters, and that the nation’s infrastructure was also well-equipped to deal with these potential hazards. It was determined that those living in Malta and Gozo ran only a 0.72% chance of falling victim to a natural disaster.
In 2011, the World Risk Report named Qatar on the Arabian Peninsula as the safest among the 173 participating countries. Meanwhile, the Pacific isle Vanuatu was ranked as the world’s most dangerous country.
World Risk Report 2012
This year marks the seventh edition of the World Risk Report, and is the second year in a row that Malta has been named the world’s second safest country – just below Qatar, which has been deemed the safest country in the world for two years running. According to the report, those living in Malta have 0.61% chance of being threatened by a natural disaster, such as a flood or an earthquake, while those in Qatar are faced with only a 0.1% chance. At the other end of the scale, the following countries have been deemed the most hazardous:
- Vanuatu (36.3%)
- Tonga (28.6%)
- The Philippines (27.6%)
A combination of strong infrastructure, a stable economy and a low exposure to natural disaster have seen Malta shine on a global scale once again. The results of this year’s World Risk Report will be welcome news to Malta business owners and holidaymakers alike.
Guest post from Nicky Warner who is an experienced blogger with a passion for international travel; she loves visiting the Maltese isles and after this, she might even consider contacting a team of Malta lawyers to find out more about permanent residence!