The safest study destinations in Europe 2019
Everyone has a favorite city where they dream to live in one day. Each city has its own unique qualities, that some people like and others not so much. Cities can be ranked according to different features and usually they are as follows: education institutions, political environment, eco-friendliness, medical care, standard of living, security and safety, transportation, work environment, etc.
All the features seem important, but what can be essential to a student that just arrived in the city and needs to live on their own? Yes, probably most of you found the answer we are looking for - safety! Basically, feeling not safe poses boundaries and gets in your way to experience the city you live in in the best possible way.
So, which are some of the greatest and safest student cities, that cover all important features for every student?
4. Stockholm, Sweden
The capital of Sweden has the highest cyber and medical security in Europe. It is all due to the well-developed Scandinavian health system and social security.
Stockholm is the city where residents and tourists feel safe all the time - the crime rate is one of the lowest in the world. There isn’t a street or a place in the city without any lights. Everywhere you go, it’s illuminated. If you are lost and need some directions or help, you will get everything you need from…the police. Yes, although there is almost no crime, the city is very well policed, and all the officers speak English and are willing to lend a helping hand to everyone about everything.
The public transport is very well organised and regulated. The t-ban (the Stockholm subway) works until 1:00 am during the weekdays and all night during the weekends.
Crime rates in Stockholm, Sweden
*100 is the highest
| Level of crime | 51.40 | Moderate |
| Crime increasing in the past 3 years | 71.17 | High |
| Worries home broken and things stolen | 42.22 | Moderate |
| Worries being mugged or robbed | 44.61 | Moderate |
| Worries car stolen | 38.00 | Low |
| Worries things from car stolen | 46.73 | Moderate |
| Worries attacked | 45.35 | Moderate |
| Worries being insulted | 42.55 | Moderate |
| Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion | 40.30 | Moderate |
| Problem people using or dealing drugs | 49.58 | Moderate |
| Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 54.09 | Moderate |
| Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 48.34 | Moderate |
| Problem corruption and bribery | 31.65 | Low |
Safety in Stockholm, Sweden
| Safety walking alone during daylight | 69.77 | High |
| Safety walking alone during night | 46.90 | Moderate |
3. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
There are 820 000 people living and enjoying this great student city. One of the safest cities in Europe, despite the free use of marijuana. Amsterdam ranks high because of its infrastructure that makes the city one of the most convenient and comfortable ones in the world.
There are almost no traffic accidents in the Dutch capital, all thanks to the culture of driving, that the residence have developed since they were kids. From early age, they get on their bikes and start learning the rules, and which is most important, they learn that cyclists and pedestrians have the same and even more rights than the drivers in the city.
Amsterdam’s crime rates are going down every year. Citizens and visitors can feel very safe in all parts of the city. Despite that, police officers can be seen everywhere around the city, usually at busier spots.
Crime rates in Amsterdam, Netherlands
*100 is the highest
| Level of crime | 36.27 | Low |
| Crime increasing in the past 3 years | 55.92 | Moderate |
| Worries home broken and things stolen | 34.58 | Low |
| Worries being mugged or robbed | 32.08 | Low |
| Worries car stolen | 25.16 | Low |
| Worries things from car stolen | 42.75 | Moderate |
| Worries attacked | 29.52 | Low |
| Worries being insulted | 34.19 | Low |
| Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion | 28.33 | Low |
| Problem people using or dealing drugs | 48.53 | Moderate |
| Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 43.75 | Moderate |
| Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 31.55 | Low |
| Problem corruption and bribery | 25.46 | Low |
Safety in Amsterdam, Netherlands
| Safety walking alone during daylight | 80.15 | Very High |
| Safety walking alone during night | 63.17 | High |
2. Zürich, Switzerland
One of the global centers for banking and finance, home to 12 higher education institutions and ranked in top 10 of the best student cities in the world (QS Best student cities ranking for 2018), Zürich is certainly a city you need to read about and consider as one of the safest and best student destinations in Europe. The cultural heritage is preserved very well and is witnessed by its citizens every day during their walks in the city. The green spaces, the Lake Zürich, the Limmat River, the snowy mountain peaks… everything around Zürich is beautiful and picturesque.
We almost forgot to mention that the GDP per capita in the city is €44 000 and is rivaled only by Singapore.
Crime rates in Zurich, Switzerland
*100 is the highest
| Level of crime | 11.43 | Very Low |
| Crime increasing in the past 3 years | 53.19 | Moderate |
| Worries home broken and things stolen | 17.19 | Very Low |
| Worries being mugged or robbed | 11.72 | Very Low |
| Worries car stolen | 25.16 | Low |
| Worries things from car stolen | 9.68 | Very Low |
| Worries attacked | 15.45 | Very Low |
| Worries being insulted | 18.20 | Very Low |
| Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion | 12.59 | Very Low |
| Problem people using or dealing drugs | 30.59 | Low |
| Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 25.88 | Low |
| Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 12.24 | Very Low |
| Problem corruption and bribery | 14.96 | Very Low |
Safety in Zurich, Switzerland
| Safety walking alone during daylight | 93.06 | Very High |
| Safety walking alone during night | 82.76 | Very High |
1. Vienna, Austria
Stable economy, rich culture, effective public transport, great higher education and one of the safest cities in the world – this is Vienna, the capital of Austria and our number one safest study destination in Europe.
Vienna isn’t the place where you will see fights or anti-social behavior, or where you feel threat of street crime at any time of the day.
We bet that Vienna will be one of the cleanest cities you have been to! The streets, the subway, the public buildings, the facades – they are all clean. If you see a dirty place, take a picture, because it will most probably be clean the next day.
There are more than 2 million people in the city enjoying the world’s greatest city to live in by Mercer’s research for 2019. The factors that determine the quality of living are:
- Recreation
- Housing
- Economic environment
- Consumer goods availability
- Public services and transport
- Political and social environment
- Natural environment
- Socio-cultural environment
- School and education
- Medical and health considerations
Besides these factors, we can add that Vienna’s living costs are very affordable compared to other European capitals. And for the price that you pay for accommodations, you are getting some very high-quality places.
Crime rates in Vienna, Austria
*100 is the highest
| Level of crime | 19.82 | Very Low |
| Crime increasing in the past 3 years | 55.60 | Moderate |
| Worries home broken and things stolen | 22.12 | Low |
| Worries being mugged or robbed | 19.06 | Very Low |
| Worries car stolen | 25.16 | Low |
| Worries things from car stolen | 14.08 | Very Low |
| Worries attacked | 20.50 | Low |
| Worries being insulted | 24.70 | Low |
| Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion | 15.46 | Very Low |
| Problem people using or dealing drugs | 32.10 | Low |
| Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 28.41 | Low |
| Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 17.63 | Very Low |
| Problem corruption and bribery | 30.46 | Low |
Safety in Vienna, Austria
| Safety walking alone during daylight | 92.05 | Very High |
| Safety walking alone during night | 75.73 | High |
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