The world is facing many dangers in 2024, particularly armed conflicts, political violence and other global issues including poverty, social inequality and crime.
There are several key countries, however, that have been revealed as having "Extreme" risk by International SOS in its annual Risk Map 2025.
Some of the countries listed will come as no surprise, but a couple may catch out unsuspecting travellers in the coming months.
While the majority of countries are located in the Middle East and North Africa, there is one important country in Europe that has also been given the highest security risk.
Revealed below are the 10 countries that have been graded as having an "Extreme" security risk.
A staggering half of the countries that have been highlighted as the highest risk level are located in Central and East Africa.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is particularly dangerous due to armed conflict, kidnapping and violent crime.
Armed conflicts in the region have resulted in civilian suffering and disregard for international humanitarian law and it can be dangerous to criticise governments in many African countries.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Somalia, particularly as there is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals. There is also a high threat of kidnapping throughout Somalia, including in regions bordering Kenya and Ethiopia and in Somaliland.
Crime is also widespread across Libya and violent robbery, carjacking and smuggling of fuel, drugs, weapons and people are common across the country.
The other African countries listed are Sudan and South Sudan. In the latter, landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a danger and the political and security situation is volatile with inter-ethnic violence and cattle raising occurring throughout the country.
Meanwhile in Sudan, fighting between the army and paramilitary forces have resulted in heavy gunfire, explosions and casualties, with foreigners and international organisation staff often targeted.
Yemen has also been given the highest security risk, a country which continues to face armed conflicts and a very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism. Military operations against Houthi targets are continuing in Yemen and the Red Sea area.
It does not come as much as a surprise that Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq have also made it on the list. Afghanistan is under Taliban control and several other armed Islamist groups are active in the country. All travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous - with Taliban checkpoints on roads throughout the country, including in Kabul.
Syria and Iraq are also dangerous due to the presence of terrorist groups including Daesh (formerly ISIS) and Al Qaeda - and ongoing civil wars which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Finally, one country in Europe - Ukraine - is also rated as extremely dangerous, due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
According to the Imperial War Museum, at points Russia has fired over 60,000 shells per day and as a result an estimated 70% of Ukrainian casualties come as a result of artillery and rocket barrages, similar to that witnessed during World War 2. Tourists have been advised to avoid all travel to Ukraine due to the high risk of attacks on city centres and populated areas including Kyiv.
Several countries have also been given a lesser, but still high security risk, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, the DRC, Pakistan and Lebanon.
