10 Countries With The Highest Crime Rates & 10 With The Lowest
How Does Your Country Rank?
The world is full of beautiful, rich, and interesting destinations, but unfortunately, some of them aren't visitor-friendly due to high rates of crime. On the other hand, there are nations where crime is practically unheard of, supported by strong social safety nets, effective governance, and a culture of trust. Here are the 10 countries with the highest crime rates and 10 with the lowest, according to the World Population Review.
1. Venezuela
Plagued by corruption and political instability, Venezuela has the highest crime rate in the world. Widespread poverty, hyperinflation, and shortages of basic goods have led to a surge in violent crime, robberies, and kidnappings.
2. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea's high crime rate is tied to its widespread poverty and unemployment. What's more, the country suffers from weak law enforcement and a poor judicial system, which means that many crimes go unpunished.
3. Afghanistan
Afghanistan has an exceptionally high crime rate as a result of ongoing political instability in the country and the collapse of law enforcement since the Taliban took over. The country is also plagued by poverty and unemployment, fueling crimes like robbery and kidnapping.
4. Haiti
Haiti has been plagued by political insecurity essentially since its inception, culminating in the assassination of its president in 2021. Since then, much of the country has been controlled by armed gangs who are responsible for the huge surge in violent crimes.
5. South Africa
South Africa's high crime rates harken back to the complex legacy of apartheid, which resulted in severe economic disparities within the country. A culture of violence and an under-resourced police force exacerbate the problem.
6. Honduras
Honduras's high crime rate is largely driven by street gangs that control significant portions of the cities. It's a major drug trafficking hub with rampant corruption within the government and judicial system.
7. Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is a major transfer point for illegal drugs and arms. Because of this, powerful gangs are firmly established, and law enforcement is notoriously corrupt.
8. Syria
Syria is currently in a volatile situation following its years-long civil war. Violent clashes between rival groups are ongoing, and poverty is rampant, leading to a spike in crime while law and order are practically nonexistent.
9. Yemen
Yemen is considered one of the world's most unsafe countries. Its long-running civil war makes it a chaotic place where violent crimes like human trafficking, kidnapping, and theft are rampant.
10. Jamaica
Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates in the Western hemisphere. Drug trafficking, poverty, and unemployment make it a hotbed for crime.
Now that we've covered the countries with the highest crime rates, let's talk about the safest ones, according to data.
1. Iceland
Iceland is the safest country in the world thanks to its egalitarian social structure. The country has a low poverty and unemployment rate, hardly any corruption, and a softer approach to law enforcement.
2. Austria
Austria has a strong social safety net, which prevents many of the problems that commonly result in crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and instability. It also has a robust legal system with trusted law enforcement.
Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash
3. Ireland
People in Ireland enjoy a high quality of life and benefit from a strong social safety net. The economy is strong, and the culture is friendly and welcoming, making it one of the safest countries on earth.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand is known for its high social equality, which reduces problems like poverty and unemployment. The culture is laid back and friendly, and the country has incredibly strict firearm laws that mitigate violence.
5. Singapore
Singapore is known for its strict legal system, which works well to deter criminals. It also has a stable economy and a strong social safety net.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland's low crime rate is largely thanks to its effective and trusted law enforcement. It's also a politically and economically stable country with a history of neutrality and peace.
7. Portugal
Portugal has a culture of nonviolence and a strong emphasis on tolerance and peace. The rate of violent crime here is much lower than in many other European countries.
Vita Marija Murenaite on Unsplash
8. Denmark
Like other Scandinavian countries, Denmark is highly egalitarian with a comprehensive social system that protects people from falling through the cracks. As a result, it's among the safest countries in the world.
9. Slovenia
Slovenia enjoys a very low crime rate thanks to the strong sense of community within the culture. It's also a politically stable country with practically nonexistent corruption.
10. Malaysia
Malaysia has one of the lowest rates of violent crime out of any country in the world, thanks to the legal system's no-nonsense approach to certain offenses. It's also a relatively economically and politically stable country.
