The Top 20 Most Dangerous Countries in Asia in 2026 

Asia is a vast and diverse continent — spanning high-tech metropolitan centers and centuries-old cultural hubs, but also enduring some of the most entrenched conflicts, instability, and safety challenges on the planet. In 2026, global security analysts and peace indexes show that danger levels vary widely across Asian countries, and travelers, residents, and policymakers need to stay informed.

The top 20 most dangerous countries in Asia for 2026, based on a combination of:

– Ongoing armed conflicts and wars
– Terrorism and extremist violence
– High crime rates and safety challenges
– Civil unrest and political instability
– Travel advisories and global peace rankings

“Dangerous” in this context is used to describe elevated risk compared to international safety benchmarks. This ranking reflects varying forms of risk — from war and terrorism to crime and domestic unrest.

How We Ranked Danger Levels

To determine the top 20 most dangerous countries in Asia in 2026, we blended multiple risk factors:

Conflict and War

Countries with ongoing armed conflicts, civil wars, insurgencies, or active battles.

Terrorism Threat

Nations facing domestic or transnational terrorism, including extremist group activity.

Crime and Societal Safety

High crime index scores and low safety scores based on public surveys and global safety reports.

Travel and Diplomatic Advisory Warnings

Places where governments advise travelers to reconsider or avoid travel due to danger levels.

Each listed country below is ranked by its overall danger profile in 2026, considering the latest available indicators.

The 20 Most Dangerous Countries in Asia in 2026

Here is the ranking, beginning with number 20 and moving upward to the most dangerous country at number 1:

20. Bangladesh

• Risk factors: Rising civil unrest, communal tensions, political volatility.

• Stats: Ranked high for crime and societal instability relative to many Asian nations.

Despite being one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, Bangladesh faces security issues including labor protests, occasional political violence, and spillovers from regional religious and ethnic tensions.

19. Iran

• Risk factors: Domestic unrest and regional proxy conflicts.

• Context: Political tensions with several neighboring countries, periodic public demonstrations, and internal security crackdowns contribute to elevated caution.

While large-scale war is not occurring across the entire country, internal instability and geopolitical friction make Iran a risky environment for travel and investment.

18. Lebanon

• Risk factors: Economic collapse, political instability, spillover from regional conflicts.

• Context: Though not a traditional war zone, crime, militant activity, and instability remain concerns in parts of the country.

17. Turkey

• Risk factors: Border instability, terrorism threats, political tensions.

• Context: Although not among the worst conflict zones, certain regions see ongoing security challenges, particularly near borders with Syria and Iraq.

16. Pakistan

• Risk factors: Terrorist activity, insurgencies in Baluchistan, tribal areas, and urban crime.

• Context: Periodic attacks against security forces and civilians keep parts of Pakistan on travel advisories.

15. India

• Risk factors: Internal insurgencies (e.g., Naxalite conflict), terrorism in border areas, crime hotspots.

• Context: Vast size means safety varies widely, but certain regions remain highly volatile due to long-running insurgencies.

14. Iraq

• Risk factors: Ongoing militia activity and insurgent violence.

• Context: Although large portions are relatively stable, risk of terror attacks and militia clashes persist regionally.

13. Philippines

• Risk factors: Crime, Islamist extremist activity in parts of Mindanao, kidnapping and insurgency concerns.

• Context: Some areas remain tourist-friendly, but terror and gang violence are ongoing risks in specific zones.

12. Cambodia

• Risk factors: Crime rates elevated; political tensions can flare unexpectedly.

• Stats: Ranked above several Asian states for criminal safety concerns.

Cambodia has seen border dispute tensions and periodic civil unrest, making it riskier than common tourist perceptions suggest.

11. Mongolia

• Risk factors: Crime and remote emergency response vulnerabilities.

• Stats: Higher crime index compared to most East Asian states.

While not a conflict zone, its law enforcement limitations and vast, isolated regions contribute to safety concerns.

10. Kyrgyzstan

• Risk factors: Political protests and occasional inter-ethnic violence.

• Stats: Crime scores place it among higher-risk Central Asian states.

9. North Korea

• Risk factors: Closed society with severe political repression and unpredictable security environment.

• Stats: Crime and safety data are limited, but the internal political climate and international tensions create a high-risk environment.

8. Syria

• Risk factors: Ongoing civil conflict, factional violence, and infrastructure collapse.

• Stats: Among Asia’s highest crime and instability scores.

Syria remains one of the most volatile nations in Asia, with heavy destruction from years of war and no comprehensive peace settlement in place.

7. Yemen

• Risk factors: Humanitarian crisis, civil war, widespread violence.

• Stats: One of Asia’s most troubled states according to various peace indicators.

Yemen’s civil war has devastated governance and basic services, making large parts of the country extremely dangerous to live in or travel to.

6. Myanmar

• Risk factors: Civil war aftermath, insurgent violence, instability since coup.

• Context: Continued tensions between military and resistance groups result in frequent violent incidents, especially in rural areas.

Myanmar remains a major risk zone due to ongoing armed conflict and fractured governance.

5. Bangladesh

(Included earlier at #20 for conflict plus crime; we’ve clarified multiple factors such as Rohingya crisis impacts — recognizing it also faces serious challenges from refugee influxes and border pressures.)

5. Palestine

• Risk factors: Persistent conflict with Israel, militia activity, and frequent clashes.

• Context: Violence can intensify rapidly, and security risks are extremely high in many areas.

4. Afghanistan

• Risk factors: Continual insurgent and terror group activity.

• Stats: Consistently rated among the world’s highest for danger and terrorism burden.

Despite changes in governance, Afghanistan remains unstable with frequent high-casualty attacks.

3. Iraq / Syria — Tie

Syria and Iraq both feature significant ongoing armed threat actors, terrorism risks, and poor safety infrastructure, placing them in a shared danger bracket.

2. Pakistan / India – High-Risk Cross-Border Tension

Although not on full war footing, tensions between India and Pakistan, especially in regions like Kashmir, contribute to heightened geopolitical risk that can affect civilians and travelers alike.

This geopolitical friction often escalates suddenly.

1. Yemen / Afghanistan — Most Dangerous

Yemen and Afghanistan represent the greatest composite danger due to intense armed conflict, terrorism, humanitarian collapse, and systemic governance breakdown.

Key Insights: Why These Countries Remain Dangerous

1. War and Prolonged Conflict

Countries experiencing ongoing war (like Syria or Yemen) consistently rank as extremely dangerous.

2. Terrorism and Extremist Violence

Where extremist groups are active (e.g., Afghanistan), danger levels spike for both citizens and travelers.

3. High Crime Index Locations

Even nations without war may be dangerous where crime indices are high — indicating frequent violent or organized crime.

4. Political Instability

Countries in political turmoil often see breakdowns in law, leading to more danger for residents.

Important Notes for Travelers in 2026

If you’re planning travel in Asia this year, safety considerations must include:

Check official travel advisories from your country’s government
Avoid regions with active conflict or high terrorism risk
Stay updated on local crime and security alerts

Many governments continuously update travel advisories — always consult the latest guidance before planning a trip.

Safety Tips for High-Risk Areas

Even if your destination is not on this list, it’s important to be cautious in unfamiliar areas:

– Avoid protests and large crowds
– Keep emergency contacts saved
– Register with your embassy while abroad
– Stay informed via reliable local news

This ranking of the Top 20 Most Dangerous Countries in Asia in 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of where risks are highest — whether due to ongoing war, terrorism, crime, or broader instability. Asia remains a continent of extraordinary cultural richness and opportunity, but safety conditions vary dramatically by country and region.

Being informed and prepared ensures you can travel and live with awareness and security — no matter where your journey takes you.