Crime Rate by Country 2022

It is computed by taking the total number of recorded offenses by the entire population and then multiplying it by 100,000. (because the crime rate is typically reported as X number of crimes per 100,000 people).

A wide range of circumstances impacts countries’ crime rates. For example, a country’s crime rate will likely rise if its poverty and unemployment levels are high. Strict policy enforcement and harsh punishment, on the other hand, tend to lower crime rates.

Also, the perpetrator’s age is strongly linked to crime, with most violent crimes perpetrated by individuals aged 20-30.

The national crime rate is 47.70 percent. Crime rates in the United States have dropped significantly during recent decades.

There are huge differences in crime rates across states, with Alaska, New Mexico, and Tennessee having much higher crime rates than Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Japan, and New Zealand have some of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Denmark, Norway, and Japan all have among the strictest gun prohibitions globally, yet each of these nations has highly strong law enforcement.

Those countries have a high rate of crime.*

Globally, the 10 nations with the highest crime rates per capita are:

1. Venezuela (83.76)
2. Papua New Guinea (80.79)
3. South Africa (76.86)
4. Afghanistan (76.31)
5. Honduras (74.54)
6. Trinidad and Tobago (71.63)
7. Guyana (68.74)
8. El Salvador (67.79)
9. Brazil (67.49)
10. Jamaica (67.42)

1. Venezuela

Venezuela has the world’s highest crime index, at 83.76. According to the US Department of State, people should avoid traveling to Venezuela, which has issued a Level 4 travel advice.

Corruption, a weak judicial system, and lax gun regulation have all been blamed for Venezuela’s high crime rate.

2. Papua New Guinea

An 80.79 crime index is assigned to Papua New Guineans. Violent crime in Papua New Guinea is mostly fuelled by fast changes in society, economy, and politics. Many gang members lack a high school diploma or GED, making it difficult to find steady work.

Corruption is a widespread kind of organized crime in larger cities, and it plays a huge role in the high crime rate there. Papua New Guinea’s geographic location makes it a prime target for illegal narcotics and people trafficking.

3. South Africa 

The third-highest crime rate in the world is in South Africa. An alarmingly high number of violent crimes are committed in South Africa. According to many reasons (such as the prevalence of poverty and social isolation), this has been blamed on the normalization of violence.

The rape rate in South Africa is among the highest in the world. Surveillance by the South African Medical Research Council found that almost one-fourth of the males interviewed had acknowledged sexual assault.

4. Afghanistan

As far as violent crime goes, Afghanistan comes in at number 4. Assassinations/contract killings, drug trafficking, abduction, and money laundering are all sorts of crimes. In 2020, Afghanistan was expected to provide 85 percent of the illegal opium used worldwide.

The Taliban, who reclaimed control of Afghanistan in 2021, has promised to end the opium trade. Still, it will be tough to do so since the business is so important to Afghanistan’s sputtering economy.

Numerous criminal activities, such as robbery and assault, gain momentum when numerous people are unemployed.

5. Honduras 

Honored with a global crime score of 74.54, Honduras is the world’s 5th most violent country. In 2012, Honduras had an average of 20 killings per day, most of which were committed by gun-toting gangs like Barrio 18 or Mara Salvatrucha.

According to some estimates, Honduras is also a key supply route for drugs reaching the United States. Law enforcement in the nation is weak, making it an accessible entry point for drug smugglers.

As a result, the US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel warning for Honduras, advising potential visitors to rethink their plans to attend.

6. Trinidad & Tobago

The homicide rate in Trinidad and Tobago is the world’s sixth-highest. It is difficult for Trinidad and Tobago’s government to decrease crime because of bureaucratic reluctance to change, the negative impact of gangs, narcotics, the economic slump, and an overworked court system.

As a result of drug trafficking and gang-related operations, there is a high demand for illicit firearms. There is a Level 2 travel alert for Trinidad and Tobago, which means tourists should be more cautious. Pickpocketing, violence, theft, and fraud are common occurrences for visitors.

7. Guyana

It has the eighth-highest crime rate in the world at 68.74, a murder rate over four times greater than the United States. Criminals often utilize guns despite strict licensing requirements.

Guyana is plagued with domestic abuse because of a lack of enforcement of domestic violence legislation. In Georgetown, armed robberies are a common occurrence. As a result, hotel break-ins, robberies, and attacks on visitors are all too common.

8. El Salvador

El Salvador’s two main gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18, are at the heart of the country’s widespread social unrest, which is in great part due to organized crime.

25,000 gang members roam the streets of El Salvador; 9,000 are incarcerated; and around 60,000 young people are part of the nation’s several juvenile gangs, which rule the country.

A few gangs have also formed alliances with drug dealers and even engaged in territorial conflicts.

El Salvador’s high unemployment and poor pay have fueled the growth of gangs and forced families to live in dangerous neighborhoods. The most prevalent kind of crime is robbery, theft, and the theft of a car.

9. Brazil 

Violence against women and children is particularly prevalent in Brazil, with the world’s seventh-highest crime rate. In 2020, there were 23.6 murders per 100,000 people in Brazil, and that number had previously reached 30.8.

In Brazil, the most serious issue is the growth of organized crime, which has resulted in a spike in violence between competing gangs. Drug smuggling, corruption, & domestic violence are all major concerns in Brazil.

10. Jamaica 

Jamaica rounds out the top ten list of nations with the highest rates of violent crime and sexual assault, with its history of government corruption, gang involvement, and high crime rates. Overseas Security Advisory Council sees the Jamaican police force as understaffed and lacking resources.

The areas of Kingston and Montego Bay that are most dangerous for tourists include Spanish Town and the surrounding areas of Kingston and Montego Bay.

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