A revealing doomsday simulation has predicted which countries could potentially be the safest to be situated in should World War III break out, and there are some interesting places.
A video from The Infographics Show has examined which nations are most likely to remain neutral or avoid becoming directly involved in a military dispute.
Simulation reveals safest places should war break out
A simulation has revealed the safest places to be should war break out. Credit: Anadolu / Getty
In at number 10, was Ireland, with its history of neutrality playing a key role. During World War II, Ireland remained officially neutral, despite some quiet support for the Allies and Irish citizens volunteering to fight.
The Infographics Show says that because of this history, “it’s unlikely Ireland will rush to join the next global conflict.”
Ireland’s farming industry is another advantage. The country produced 230% of the meat it needed to feed its population in 2023 and is also a major dairy exporter. It also has one of the highest freshwater supplies per person in the world, giving it another resource advantage during a global crisis.
At number nine was Fiji, which is both a remote island and a country whose Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has described as, “we are friends to all, enemies to none.”
Fiji is a remote Pacific island nation that could benefit from its distance from major conflict zones. Its isolation means it would be difficult for any invading force to reach, while its limited strategic importance could make it an unlikely target.
Bhutan came in at number eight, and despite being located between two major powers, China and India, it is another country that could avoid becoming deeply involved in a global war.
The country is almost entirely mountainous, with around 98.8% of its land covered by mountains and an average elevation of nearly 10,800 feet.
South Africa came in at seventh, with the Infographics Show highlighting its ability to produce much of its own food, including maize, wheat, fruit, sugar, soybeans, beef, and other agricultural products.
Chile and Argentina make up fifth and sixth, respectively. Both nations are in strong positions to consolidate their native industries and remain largely self-sustaining.
Chile is another nation benefiting from its geography, similar to their continental neighbor, Uruguay. Chile and Argentina are also in geographically well-protected areas, with Chile surrounded by the Andes Mountains, which The Infographics Show describes as a “giant, lethal mountain range” that acts as a natural barrier against invasion.
Second, third, and fourth on the list were Iceland, Uruguay, and New Zealand, respectively.
Iceland was cited as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, so would be unlikely to be involved especially given its isolated location.
While Uruguay is not only believed to be safe, but also has the capacity to feed itself, with one of the strongest food security positions in the world, producing around 232% of the calories its population needs.
New Zealand’s remote location has historically protected it, with The Infographics Show noting that a map of battles between 1924 and 2024 showed “exactly zero in New Zealand.”
New Zealand’s natural resources are another major advantage. With vast farmland, livestock and abundant water supplies, the country produces around 185% of its own caloric needs, meaning it could survive with limited outside support.
Simulation reveals surprising safest place to be should war start
In at number one, was Switzerland, a country famous for its long-standing neutrality.
While many may assume its biggest advantage is staying out of wars for more than 200 years, The Infographics Show says its real strength could be its enormous network of underground shelters.
The country has around 370,000 nuclear bunkers, which the video claims could provide protection for more than the entire Swiss population, which currently stands at 9.1 million.
The shelters were built after Switzerland introduced civil protection laws in the 1960s, requiring new buildings to include bunker facilities or contribute towards public shelters, as well as the introduction of iodine supplies to help combat radiation exposure.
The Infographics Show ultimately concludes that while some countries may be better positioned than others, “nowhere escapes the fallout forever” if a true World War III scenario were to unfold.
