In 2025, Pietermaritzburg in South Africa ranked as the world's most dangerous city with a crime rate of 82 per 100,000 inhabitants. Five of the 10 cities with the highest crime rates worldwide are found in South Africa. The list does not include countries where war and conflict exist. South Africa dominates crime statistics When looking at crime rates, among the 10 most dangerous cities in the world, half of them are found in South Africa. The country is struggling with extremely high levels of inequality, and is struggling with high levels of crime and power outages, harming the country's economy and driving more people into unemployment and poverty. Crime in Latin America On the other hand, when looking at murder rates, Latin America dominates the list of the world's most dangerous countries. Violence in Latin America is caused in great part by drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and gang wars.

The World Crime Index 2023 dataset provides records of crime rankings for cities worldwide, along with associated information on their respective countries. This dataset is focused on the year 2023 and includes the following columns:

• Rank: The ranking of a city based on its crime index, with lower numbers indicating higher crime rates.
• City: The name of the city for which crime data is reported.
• Country: The country to which the city belongs.
• Crime Index: A numerical value representing the overall level of crime in a city, with higher values indicating higher crime rates.
• Safety Index: An index indicating the general level of safety in a city, derived from factors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and political stability.

This dataset enables data scientists to analyze and compare crime rankings across cities and countries, providing insights into the relative safety levels of different locations in the year 2023. By leveraging this dataset, researchers can conduct exploratory data analysis, perform comparative studies, and identify potential trends and patterns in crime rates globally for the specified year.

In 2024, Colima in Mexico ranked as the world's most dangerous city with a homicide rate of 140 per 100,000 inhabitants. Seven of the 10 cities with the highest murder rates worldwide are found in Mexico. The list does not include countries where war and conflict exist. Latin America dominates murder statistics Except for Mandela Bay, all the cities on the list are found in Latin America. Latin America also dominate the list of the world's most dangerous countries. Violence in Latin America is caused in great part by drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and gang wars. Crime in South Africa Mandela Bay in South Africa is the only city outside Latin America among the 10 most dangerous cities worldwide. The country is struggling with extremely high levels of inequality, and is struggling with high levels of crime and power outages, harming the country's economy and driving more people into unemployment and poverty.

In 2023, around 3,640.56 violent crimes per 100,000 residents were reported in Oakland, California. This made Oakland the most dangerous city in the United States in that year. Four categories of violent crimes were used: murder and non-negligent manslaughter; forcible rape; robbery; and aggravated assault. Only cities with a population of at least 200,000 were considered.

In 2022, the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area recorded the highest homicide rate of U.S. cities with a population over 250,000, at 27.1 homicides per 100,000 residents, followed by the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. However, homicide data was not recorded in all U.S. metro areas, meaning that there may be some cities with a higher homicide rate.

St. Louis

St. Louis, which had a murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate of 11.6 in 2022, is the second-largest city by population in Missouri. It is home to many famous treasures such as the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, Washington University in St. Louis, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the renowned Gateway Arch. It is home to many corporations such as Monsanto, Arch Coal, and Emerson Electric. The economy of St. Louis is centered around business and healthcare, and in addition is home to ten Fortune 500 companies.

Crime in St. Louis

Despite all of this, St. Louis suffers from high levels of crime and violence. As of 2023, it was listed as the seventh most dangerous city in the world as a result of their extremely high murder rate. Not only does St. Louis have one of the highest homicide rates in the United States, it also reports one of the highest numbers of violent crimes. In spite of high crime levels, the GDP of the St. Louis metropolitan area has been increasing since 2001.

In 2024, the Mexican city of Colima was the second most deadly city in the world, with a murder rate of ****** per 100,000 inhabitants. * out of the top 10 cities with over ******* habitants and the highest homicide rates were located in Mexico.

This study focused on the effect of economic resources and racial/ethnic composition on the change in crime rates from 1970-2004 in United States cities in metropolitan areas that experienced a large growth in population after World War II. A total of 352 cities in the following United States metropolitan areas were selected for this study: Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orange County, Orlando, Phoenix, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Silicon Valley (Santa Clara), and Tampa/St. Petersburg. Selection was based on the fact that these areas developed during a similar time period and followed comparable development trajectories. In particular, these 14 areas, known as the "boomburbs" for their dramatic, post-World War II population growth, all faced issues relating to the rapid growth of tract-style housing and the subsequent development of low density, urban sprawls. The study combined place-level data obtained from the United States Census with crime data from the Uniform Crime Reports for five categories of Type I crimes: aggravated assaults, robberies, murders, burglaries, and motor vehicle thefts. The dataset contains a total of 247 variables pertaining to crime, economic resources, and race/ethnic composition.

Turks and Caicos Islands saw a murder rate of ***** per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the most dangerous country for this kind of crime worldwide as of 2024. Interestingly, El Salvador, which long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 29 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Colima in Mexico was the most dangerous city for murders. Violent conflicts worldwide Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in Afghanistan or Syria. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly in some countries. Causes of death Also, noteworthy is that murders are usually not random events. In the United States, the circumstances of murders are most commonly arguments, followed by narcotics incidents and robberies. Additionally, murders are not a leading cause of death. Heart diseases, strokes and cancer pose a greater threat to life than violent crime.

The average for 2017 based on 97 countries was 7.4 homicides per 100,000 people. The highest value was in El Salvador: 61.8 homicides per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Japan: 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2024, Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) ranked first in the crime index among African cities, with a rating of roughly ** index points. The six most dangerous areas on the continent were South African cities. The index estimates the overall level of crime in a specific territory. According to the score, crime levels are classified as very high (over 80), high (60-80), moderate (40-60), low (20-40), and very low (below 20). South Africa’s crime situation According to the crime index ranking, ************ was the most dangerous country in Africa in 2023, followed by ***************** and ******. Murder and organized crime are particularly widespread in South Africa. In 2023, the country had one of the highest murder rates globally, registering around ** homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, South Africa’s crime scene is also characterized by the presence of organized criminal activities, for which the country ranked third in Africa. Reflecting these high levels of crime, a survey conducted in 2023 showed that around ** percent of South Africans were worried about crime and violence in the country. Crime risks in Africa The African continent hosts some of the most dangerous places worldwide. In 2023, *********** and the ******************************** were the least peaceful countries in Africa, according to the Global Peace Index. Worldwide, they ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria. Terrorism is a leading type of crime perpetrated in Africa. Home to Boko Aram, Nigeria is among the countries with the highest number of terrorism-related deaths globally. Furthermore, Burkina Faso had the highest number of fatalities in the world. Human trafficking is also widespread, predominantly in West Africa. The most common forms of exploitation of victims of trafficking in persons are forced labor and sexual exploitation.

World crime rate per 100K population for 2020 was 5.61, a 0.74% increase from 2019.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>World crime rate per 100K population for 2019 was <strong>5.56</strong>, a <strong>3.65% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>World crime rate per 100K population for 2018 was <strong>5.77</strong>, a <strong>2.24% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>World crime rate per 100K population for 2017 was <strong>5.91</strong>, a <strong>0.69% decline</strong> from 2016.</li>
</ul>Intentional homicides are estimates of unlawful homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded.

The average for 2017 based on 79 countries was 105 robberies per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Costa Rica: 1587 robberies per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Oman: 1 robberies per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Historical chart and dataset showing Mexico crime rate per 100K population by year from 1990 to 2021.

There has been little research on United States homicide rates from a long-term perspective, primarily because there has been no consistent data series on a particular place preceding the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), which began its first full year in 1931. To fill this research gap, this project created a data series on homicides per capita for New York City that spans two centuries. The goal was to create a site-specific, individual-based data series that could be used to examine major social shifts related to homicide, such as mass immigration, urban growth, war, demographic changes, and changes in laws. Data were also gathered on various other sites, particularly in England, to allow for comparisons on important issues, such as the post-World War II wave of violence. The basic approach to the data collection was to obtain the best possible estimate of annual counts and the most complete information on individual homicides. The annual count data (Parts 1 and 3) were derived from multiple sources, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports and Supplementary Homicide Reports, as well as other official counts from the New York City Police Department and the City Inspector in the early 19th century. The data include a combined count of murder and manslaughter because charge bargaining often blurs this legal distinction. The individual-level data (Part 2) were drawn from coroners' indictments held by the New York City Municipal Archives, and from daily newspapers. Duplication was avoided by keeping a record for each victim. The estimation technique known as "capture-recapture" was used to estimate homicides not listed in either source. Part 1 variables include counts of New York City homicides, arrests, and convictions, as well as the homicide rate, race or ethnicity and gender of victims, type of weapon used, and source of data. Part 2 includes the date of the murder, the age, sex, and race of the offender and victim, and whether the case led to an arrest, trial, conviction, execution, or pardon. Part 3 contains annual homicide counts and rates for various comparison sites including Liverpool, London, Kent, Canada, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco.

The statistic shows the homicide rate worldwide in 2010, by region. In 2010, the homicide rate of Africa stood at 17.4 homicides per 100,000 of population.

A ranking of the most dangerous cities in the world based on murder rate per capita can be found here.

In 2024, there were nearly 26.20homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the country, down from a homicide rate of 26.8 a year earlier. Since 2017, when it peaked, the homicide rate in Venezuela has been decreasing year after year.

Falling homicide rate but still higher than the Latin American average The country held the fifth position for the highest homicide rate in Latin America, recording 26.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, even after experiencing a steady decrease in the rate over the years. In line with this alarming rate, the Venezuelan city of Cumana was ranked as the 11th most dangerous city in the world in 2023, reporting a rate of 62.42. Among these homicide cases, the majority, approximately 5,800, are still under investigation, while the remainder falls into categories of closed cases, those resisting authority, or have been categorized as disappearances, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced in addressing violent crime.

Corruption in Venezuela In the corruption index, which ranges from 0 representing the worst case to 100 signifying no corruption, Venezuela has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the most corrupt country in Latin America, with a meager score of 10 in 2024. Moreover, the estimated corruption control score has been steadily declining, reaching -1.69 in 2024, where lower numbers indicate a higher degree of corruption, painting a worrisome picture. To compound matters, the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing has persistently remained at a high level, recording a score of 7.59 during 2024.

In Europe, the Baltic countries of Latvia and Lithuania had the highest and third highest homicide rates respectively in 2022. Latvia had the highest rate at over four per 100,000 inhabitants. Meanwhile, the lowest homicide rate was found in Liechtenstein, with zero murders The most dangerous country worldwide Saint Kitts and Nevis is the world's most dangerous country to live in in terms of murder rate. The Caribbean country had a homicide rate of 65 per 100,000 inhabitants. Nine of the 10 countries with the highest murder rates worldwide are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. Whereas Celaya in Mexico was listed as the city with the highest murder rate worldwide, Colima in Mexico was the city with the highest homicide rate in Latin America, so the numbers vary from source to source. Nevertheless, several Mexican cities rank among the deadliest in the world when it comes to intentional homicides. Violent conflicts worldwide Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in countries such as Ukraine or the DR Congo. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly.

Abstract: The stay at home restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 led to unparalleled sudden change in daily life, but it is unclear how they affected urban crime globally. We collected data on daily counts of crime in 26 cities across 22 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay at home restrictions on different types of crime in each city. Our findings show that the stay at home policies were associated with a considerable drop in urban crime, but with substantial variation across cities and types of crime. Meta-regression results showed that more stringent restrictions over movement in public space were predictive of larger declines in crime.

The Global Safe City Market size was valued at USD 29.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 41.77 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.1 % during the forecasts period. This growth is fueled by increased urbanization and crime rates, along with government initiatives to enhance public safety. Advanced technologies like surveillance cameras, smart lighting, and data analytics are also driving market expansion. Safe city solutions enhance citizen security, reduce crime, and streamline city management, making them highly sought after. A Safe City is a multifaceted concept that involves the use of technology, community initiatives, and law enforcement to create urban environments where citizens can live without fear of crime, accidents, or disasters. It is a collaborative effort between public and private sectors to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. This includes the deployment of surveillance systems, intelligent analytics, and emergency response solutions to monitor and manage urban areas effectively. Safe City programs aim to reduce crime rates and prevent antisocial behaviour through a combination of policing strategies, technology deployment, and offender management. They also focus on reducing urban vulnerabilities by incorporating safety into city planning and governance, thus enhancing the overall quality of life. The initiative is not just about addressing crime but also encompasses broader threats such as natural disasters, traffic incidents, and pollution.

Crime Analytics Tools Market Outlook

The global crime analytics tools market size was valued at approximately USD 5.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 12.7 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% during the forecast period. The key growth factor driving this market is the increasing need for advanced analytical tools to combat rising crime rates and enhance public safety. With the rapid advancements in technology and the growing importance of data in decision-making processes, the crime analytics tools market is poised for substantial growth.

One of the primary growth factors for the crime analytics tools market is the rising incidence of criminal activities globally, which has prompted law enforcement agencies to invest in advanced analytical solutions. These tools help in identifying, predicting, and preventing crimes, thus enhancing the overall effectiveness of law enforcement operations. Additionally, the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in crime analytics tools is revolutionizing the way crimes are analyzed and mitigated, providing a significant boost to market growth.

Another critical growth factor is the increasing government initiatives and funding aimed at strengthening national security and public safety. Governments worldwide are recognizing the importance of advanced crime analytics tools in enhancing public safety and are consequently increasing their budget allocations for the adoption of these tools. This surge in government investments is expected to drive the market's growth significantly during the forecast period.

The proliferation of smart city initiatives is also contributing to the market's growth. As cities around the world aim to become smarter and safer, the deployment of advanced crime analytics tools is becoming essential. These tools enable city authorities to monitor and manage urban safety more effectively, thereby reducing crime rates and improving the quality of life for residents. This trend is expected to fuel the demand for crime analytics tools in the coming years.

Regionally, North America dominates the crime analytics tools market, owing to the high adoption rate of advanced technologies and significant government investments in public safety. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by increasing urbanization, rising crime rates, and growing government initiatives for public safety. Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa are also expected to contribute significantly to the market's growth, with steady adoption of crime analytics tools across these regions.

Component Analysis

The crime analytics tools market is segmented based on components into software, hardware, and services. The software segment holds the largest market share and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Crime analytics software includes advanced solutions that leverage data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to analyze crime patterns, predict future crimes, and provide actionable insights to law enforcement agencies. The increasing adoption of these sophisticated software solutions by government agencies and private security firms is driving the growth of this segment.

The hardware segment, although smaller compared to software, plays a crucial role in the overall crime analytics ecosystem. Hardware components include surveillance cameras, sensors, and other data collection devices that are essential for gathering real-time data. The integration of these hardware components with advanced software solutions enhances the overall efficiency of crime analytics tools. The continuous advancements in hardware technology, such as the development of high-resolution cameras and IoT-enabled devices, are expected to drive the growth of this segment.

The services segment is also witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing need for implementation, training, and maintenance services associated with crime analytics tools. As these tools become more sophisticated, the demand for specialized services to ensure their optimal performance is rising. These services include consulting, custom development, and ongoing support, which are crucial for the successful deployment and operation of crime analytics solutions. The growing emphasis on end-to-end solutions is further propelling the demand for services in this market.

Overall, the component analysis