Lifestyle
India — Living: Safety
India does not rank among the top-tier safest countries globally for expats (unlike Luxembourg, Switzerland, or the UAE), but major tourist and expat-heavy regions are generally considered safe and well-equipped to handle foreign residents and travelers. Safety varies significantly by city and neighborhood — as in most large, populous countries, expats are advised to research specific localities rather than rely on a single national safety rating, and to stay attentive to standard urban safety practices (petty theft, traffic safety, women's safety awareness in some regions).
VerifiedPrivate source: Numbeo — not a government sourceNumbeo Safety Index / travel advisory guidanceLast reviewed: 2026-07-20
Key facts
- India does not appear among the top global safety rankings for expats (Luxembourg, Switzerland, UAE lead these lists), but is not flagged as broadly unsafe for major expat/tourist regions.
- Safety varies substantially by city and neighborhood — national-level rankings are a poor proxy for any specific area an expat might live in.
- Standard urban safety practices (petty theft awareness, traffic caution, being mindful of area-specific advisories) are recommended, as in most large countries.
Common mistakes
- Relying on a single national safety score rather than researching the specific city/neighborhood being considered for relocation.