Germany is the safest country in the world when it comes to Covid-19 followed closely by New Zealand, according to a newly released survey.

The ranking places South Korea third while Switzerland – which was first – has dropped back to fourth and Japan is fifth, according to Forbes online.

Australia and China are sixth and seventh respectively.

The ranking of the safest countries in the world for Covid-19 was first released by Deep Knowledge Group in June.

Now the thinktank has updated its data and methodology and re-issued a report on the safest countries and regions, Forbes reported.

The most dangerous nations for Covid according to the ranking were Somaliland, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Mali.

According to Forbes, Deep Knowledge Group said it looked at more than 140 parameters and considered more than 35,000 data points, both up significantly from June’s report.

“Deep Knowledge Group’s new Covid-19 special analytical case study is designed to classify, analyse and rank the economic, social and health stability achieved by each of the 250 countries and regions included in its analysis, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats or risks that they present in the battle against the global health and economic crisis triggered by Covid-19,” Deep Knowledge Group said.

The 20 safest countries, according to the report

1 Germany
2 New Zealand
3 South Korea
4 Switzerland
5 Japan
6 Australia
7 China
8 Austria
9 United Arab Emirates
10 Singapore
11 Israel
12 Canada
13 Saudi Arabia
14 Iceland
15 Taiwan
16 Norway
17 Liechtenstein
18 Hong Kong
19 Finland
20 Kuwait