AS the UK and US are increasingly drawn into conflict with the Middle East, the war against Ukraine rages and China edges towards invading Taiwan, speculation of WW3 is at an all-time high.
But, as we hurtle towards the seeming inevitability of a third world war breaking out, people have been left wondering if there are actually any safe places left in the world.
What are the safest countries in the world if World War 3 started?
Luckily, there are a few safe havens left – including politically neutral islands, small states with even smaller populations, and countries that rank highly in the Global Peace Index.
Fiji
Floating semi-desolately in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, the island nation is 2,700 miles away from its closest neighbour, Australia. Its isolated nature, and lack of military strategy – with a small army of just 6,000 men – has meant that it frequently ranks highly in the Global Peace Index. Fiji is also laden with abundant forest, fertile land, minerals and fish, making it the perfect place to wait out the apocalypse.
GettyFiji’s isolated nature means it’s sheltered from the potential of war[/caption]
Tuvalu
Also in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, Tuvalu is a small chain of islands not too far north of Fiji. An incredibly low population of just 11,000 inhabit the islands, infrastructure is lacking, and natural resources are slim – making it an undesirable target in the event of a world war.
GettyTuvalu is so small that no country would want to engage in war against it[/caption]
New Zealand
Thanks to its foreign policy, far removed from any armed conflicts in the world, and anti-nukes, New Zealand ranks second in the Global Peace Index. And say it were to be attacked, on a very rogue off-chance, its mountainous terrain offers its citizens the perfect protection. Its capable of producing enough food for its population, and its proximity to the ocean could cool it down if nuclear war broke out.
GettyNew Zealand is both self-sufficient and neutral, it was safe during WW2, and is one of the best bets now[/caption]
Indonesia
The state of Indonesia typically takes a neutral stance on issues of world politics. In 1948 their first president coined the “free and active” term to refer to their foreign policy – they act independently in international affairs, and are most concerned with the creation of world peace. The Indonesian islands have also spent years developing their agricultural sector – they aren’t reliant on imports and cut withstand the end of world trade.
GettyIndonesia is rich in natural resources[/caption]
Iceland
Iceland tops the Global Peace Index consistently, making it the most peaceful country in the world by miles. It’s also literal miles away from any of its neighbours, and especially from powers involved in the most global conflicts. It also doesn’t have to worry about relying on any other country – complete with fresh water reserves, marine resources, and renewable energy sources, Iceland is self sufficient in more ways than one.
GettyIceland is frequently ranked at the top of the Global Peace Index[/caption]
Argentina
The South American paradise is one of the most likely places to survive famine after nuclear war. Studies have found that 100 nuclear bombs, which cause billowing smoke that blocked the sun – which then caused crop failure. Argentina could avoid this because they already grow resistant crops, like wheat, in immense quantities.
GettyArgentina grows resistant crops, meaning it could survive a nuclear black-out[/caption]
Chile
Not only is Chile similarly wealthy in terms of crops and natural resources, but it is also one of the most developed countries in the continent. The South American country has modern infrastructure, technology and all the resources it would need to support itself if the rest of the world goes to war.
GettyChile has a wealth of crops and natural resources[/caption]
Switzerland
Perhaps the first country that springs to mind when thinking about peace is Switzerland. After all, the country has been famed for its staunch position on neutrality for almost two centuries. And if that weren’t enough, the country is well protected by its mountainous terrain, and also boasts several nuclear shelters.
GettySwitzerland is famed for its staunch position on neutrality[/caption]
Bhutan
After joining the United Nations, Bhutan resolved to be neutral on any conflict. Due to its foreign policy, it frequently ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. It is also one of the most remote, landlocked and mountainous regions in the world – adding another layer of protection to the country.
GettyBhutan is protected by vast mountains and through the virtue of being landlocked[/caption]
Antarctica
At the furthest point on the planet, you’ll find what’s quite possibly the safest place to ride out WW3. Nestled amongst the sprawling species of penguins, you can relax at a scientific outpost and wait for the hostilities to end. Emphasis on the hostilities ending though, as food is scarce on the continent.
GettyAntarctica is safe – although food is scarce[/caption]
South Africa
The African nation has busied itself with steering clear of Western influences, and now might be the time that this pays off. The country is also home to multiple sources of foods, has an abundance of fertile land, and many fresh water supplies. Couple this with Cape Town’s modern infrastructure and you’ve found yourself the ideal hiding spot for when the apocalypse hits.
GettyCape Town’s modern infrastructure and multiple food sources makes it an ideal apocalypse safe zone[/caption]
Greenland
The sparsely-populated Danish island of Greenland, like Iceland, is so remote, mountainous and politically non-aligned that it is an ideal refuge point. Despite being a European country, the region is difficult to reach, and at an extreme latitude.
GettyGreenland is so remote that it would be safe from WW3[/caption]
What were the safest countries during World War 2?
It won’t come as a surprise then that New Zealand was one of the safest countries to reside in during World War 2.
No part of the country was ever attacked, most likely due to its proximity from the Japanese.
Most of Australia was also safe – with only Darwin having been bombed more than once.
Despite being inextricably involved in the war, mainland USA was never touched.
The states Aleutians and Hawaii were affected – although neither of these were states at the time.
Nowhere in Europe was completely safe, although Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland were held to the principle of neutrality, all of them were bombed to an extent.
Although Switzerland saw very little damage from accidental bombing.
What would happen if World War 3 started?
As global tensions have escalated, it’s feared Russia, China, the Middle East, Iran and North Korea are all major flashpoints for an all-out world war – with British troops being dragged in.
Former Royal Navy chief Admiral Lord West told The Sun: “I have never known the world to be more dangerous and unpredictable.”
It comes after UK defence secretary Grant Shapps warned that the world is in a “pre-war” moment.
In a recent speech, he urged Britain and its allies to ramp up defence spending, insisting: “The era of the peace dividend is over.”
He added: “In five years’ time we could be looking at multiple theatres involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.”
With modern advancements in warfare and technology, the results of a full-blown world-war could bear catastrophic results for humanity.
We could see unparalleled levels of suffering, the displacement of millions, severe food insecurity, and disruption to essential services.
Even if nukes weren’t used, injuries would surge, and our abilities to deal with them would wane. Disease would ravage the world, and our systems would be overwhelmed.
It is predicted that in the event of a nuclear war between the US and Russia, an estimated 99 per cent of the population in the belligerent countries, as well as Europe and China, would die.
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