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The safety of women is one of the best ways to gauge a country's long-term wealth growth potential, according to a new report by AfrAsia Bank and New World Wealth.
The report examines recent wealth migration in the world and found a correlation of over 90% between historic wealth growth and the safety levels of women.
The report found Australia to be the safest country for women worldwide, followed by Malta, Iceland, New Zeeland and Canada. Mauritius, Botswana and Namibia are listed as the safest for women in Africa.
In other countries, on the other hand, a woman can be arrested for even reporting rape.
In countries with reasonably reliable crime stats such as the US and Australia, it is estimated that for every one sexual assault reported, about three are not reported.
In countries where a woman can be arrested for reporting sexual assault, it is estimated that for every one incident reported, a much higher number - likely more than a 100 - are not reported.
The report has expressed surprise that the international media has not placed more of a spotlight on the more than 40 countries in the world where women can be arrested for reporting sexual assault.
The report notes that countries such as India and South Africa are often quoted in the media as being among the least safe countries for woman.
However, the report proposes that this view is a mistake.
"It is important to note that these two countries are among the 58 countries worldwide that have reasonably reliable crime statistics, so it is unfair to say they are the least safe," states the report.
"They are simply more transparent than the more than 130 countries worldwide with unreliable stats. Women are also freely able to report sexual assault in these two countries. In truth, India and South Africa are probably mid-range (80-90) out of the 195 countries worldwide in terms of women's safety."
