In 2024, the highest homicide rate among 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries surveyed was in Haiti, with around 62 murders committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Trinidad and Tobago came in second, with a homicide rate of 46, while Honduras ranked seventh, with 25. In the same year, the lowest rate was recorded in El Salvador, with a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. A violence-ridden region Violence and crime are some of the most pressing problems affecting Latin American society nowadays. More than 40 of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world are located in this region, as well as one of the twenty countries with the least peace in the world according to the Global Peace Index. Despite governments’ large spending on security and high imprisonment rates, drug and weapon trafficking, organized crime, and gangs have turned violence into an epidemic that affects the whole region and a solution to this issue appears to be hardly attainable. The cost of violence in Mexico Mexico stands out as an example of the great cost that violence inflicts upon a country, since beyond claiming human lives, it also affects everyday life and has a negative impact on the economy. Mexicans have a high perceived level of insecurity, as they do not only fear becoming victims of homicide, but also of other common crimes, such as assault or rape. Such fear prevents people from performing everyday activities, for instance, going out at night, taking a taxi or going to the movies or the theater. Furthermore, the economic toll of violence in Mexico is more than considerable. For example, the cost of homicide and violent crime amounted to 2099.8 and 1778.1 billion Mexican pesos in 2023, respectively.

Several countries located in Central America and the Caribbean registered some of the highest homicide rates in the Latin American region in 2022. Jamaica ranked first, with around 53.34 homicides committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines came second, with 40.41 homicides per 100,000 people. The source defines intentional homicide as the unlawful death inflicted upon a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury. When it comes to the total case count, Brazil was the Latin American country with the largest number of homicide victims. Central America and the falling rates El Salvador was commonly named the murder capital of the world for a few years. The inability of previous governments to control organized crime and gangs resulted in the highest homicide rate in the world for a couple of years. Nonetheless, the current administration and the measures applied during the Emergency State had an incredibly positive impact in terms of the security of the Salvadorean citizens. But not only El Salvador has seen a considerable reduction in its murder rate in Central America. Honduras and Guatemala are also two great examples of crime reduction, introducing new policies, institutions, and changes to their judicial system to achieve better results.
The Caribbean still ridden by crime Some islands in the Caribbean are not only known as tax heavens, as some nations in the region are considered the main enablers of tax evasion in the world, but also for being ridden by crime. Haiti is one example of the still rising levels of criminality. As a country with precarious conditions and extreme food insecurity, the homicide rate has been on the rise for almost four consecutive years. Another one is Jamaica, the top of the Latin American ranking, that has also seen an increase in the youth involved in organized crime due to lack of employment and economic conditions.

The average for 2017 based on 9 countries was 11.9 homicides per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Brazil: 30.5 homicides per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Chile: 4.3 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 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 average for 2017 based on 8 countries was 399 robberies per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Argentina: 920 robberies per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Paraguay: 29 robberies per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2016 based on 8 countries was 839 thefts per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Uruguay: 3205 thefts per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Colombia: 178 thefts per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2016. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had Africa's highest organized crime index in Africa, scoring 7.35 points. Nigeria ranked second with a total of 7.28 points. To follow, other African countries with significant criminality levels were South Africa, Kenya, Libya, and the Central African Republic. Main criminal markets in Africa Human trafficking is the main type of crime perpetrated in Africa. In 2022, over 21,700 human trafficking victims were identified in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most victims of trafficking in persons on the continent are girls and women, who are predominantly victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Other common forms of criminality in Africa are financial crimes, as well as arms trafficking, which include the illegal trade of unauthorized small arms, ammunition, and explosives. Terrorism across Africa In recent years, terrorism has spread at particularly high levels in some African countries. Nigeria, headquarter of the Boko Haram terrorist group, has been facing high levels of crime, violence, and poor national security, and ranked among the highest 10 countries in the global terrorism index in 2022. However, Nigeria and Niger have seen improvements between 2020 and 2022, with the hot spot area in the region moving more towards the border area between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Furthermore, terrorism tends to have adverse effects on the economy. For example, the economic impact of terrorist acts between 2007 and 2019 in Nigeria amounted to around 142 billion U.S. dollars.

This map shows the total crime index in the U.S. in 2021 in a multi-scale map (by state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group). The pop-up is configured to include the following information for each geography level:Total crime indexPersonal and Property crime indices Sub-categories of personal and property crime indicesThe values are all referenced by an index value. The index values for the US level are 100, representing average crime for the country. A value of more than 100 represents higher crime than the national average, and a value of less than 100 represents lower crime than the national average. For example, an index of 120 implies that crime in the area is 20 percent higher than the US average; an index of 80 implies that crime is 20 percent lower than the US average.For more information about the AGS Crime Indices, click here. Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsU.S. 2021/2026 Esri Updated DemographicsEssential demographic vocabularyEsri's arcgis.com demographic map layersPermitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the EsriMaster Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

This map shows the total crime index in the U.S. in 2020 in a multi-scale map (by state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group). The pop-up is configured to include the following information for each geography level:Total crime indexPersonal and Property crime indices Sub-categories of personal and property crime indicesThe values are all referenced by an index value. The index values for the US level are 100, representing average crime for the country. A value of more than 100 represents higher crime than the national average, and a value of less than 100 represents lower crime than the national average. For example, an index of 120 implies that crime in the area is 20 percent higher than the US average; an index of 80 implies that crime is 20 percent lower than the US average.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsU.S. 2020/2025 Esri Updated DemographicsEssential demographic vocabularyEsri's arcgis.com demographic map layersPermitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

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.

In 2024, there were approximately 1.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in El Salvador. Since 2015, when it stood at 103, the murder rate has been dropping annually in this Central American country. Crime current state The region has witnessed a substantial reduction in the number of homicides since 2015, resulting in the most common crimes becoming increasingly more centered on non-lethal offenses and material-related transgressions, which now pose the most prevalent threats. This shift is equally apparent across both genders, with the rate of femicides steadily declining, paralleling a consistent decrease in overall victimization rates. Consequently, El Salvador achieved the ranking of the third safest country within the Latin American homicide rate context. Notwithstanding these notable improvements, a lingering sense of caution endures among the populace, as nearly half of them remain apprehensive about the prospect of falling victim to criminal activities. Main economic problems Following an extended phase marked by elevated inflation, the region continues to grapple with challenges in its efforts to recover. The impact has been most pronounced on the prices of essential food items, rendering them increasingly unaffordable for a population where approximately 20 percent live under poverty conditions. Furthermore, the unemployment rate persists, with one out of every two individuals still seeking employment opportunities. A significant proportion, approximately 60 percent, remain apprehensive about job loss, recognizing the subsequent loss of their primary income source. In response, the government is envisaging an enhancement in both the employment rate and the GDP, albeit with a gradual recovery trajectory following the substantial downturn experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Historical dataset showing Latin America & Caribbean crime rate per 100K population by year from 2010 to 2021.

Antioquia and Valle del Cauca were the departments where most homicides were recorded in Colombia throughout 2024, with 1,649 and 2,265 murders respectively. By contrast, only 2 homicide was registered in Guainía. In total, 13,341 homicides were recorded in Colombia. Homicides During 2024, Colombia ranked as the sixth South American country with the highest homicide rate. Even though Colombia ranks quite high, the homicide rate has remained stable for the last decade, between 24 and 26.8 cases per each 100,000 inhabitants. The situation with crime, poverty, and drug trafficking stays as barriers to the betterment of peace for the citizens.
How much does crime cost?
Crime always takes a toll on the economic development of a country, adding to the insecurity and instability of the country. As a consequence, governments spend a lot to try to stop the further development of crime. For example, Colombia’s public spending on order and security increased 220 percent from 2010 to 2023. And the economic cost of violence is estimated at over 274 billion U.S. dollars per 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.

The average for 2017 based on 65 countries was 1.8 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Belgium: 10.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Bermuda: 0 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The Latin American surveillance camera market is experiencing robust growth, projected to reach $3.03 billion in 2025 and maintain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.21% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Increasing concerns about public safety and security, particularly in major urban centers like Mexico City, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires, are fueling demand for advanced surveillance solutions. Furthermore, the growth of e-commerce and the rising adoption of smart city initiatives across the region are creating new opportunities for surveillance camera deployment. The banking and government sectors are significant adopters, prioritizing security for financial assets and critical infrastructure. Technological advancements, such as the transition from analog to IP-based systems offering higher resolution, better analytics, and remote accessibility, are further stimulating market growth. Hybrid systems, combining the best of both analog and IP technologies, are also gaining traction, catering to diverse needs and budgets. While the market faces challenges such as economic instability in some Latin American countries and potential concerns regarding data privacy and surveillance ethics, the overall growth trajectory remains positive. The market is highly competitive, with a mix of global players and regional companies vying for market share. The increasing adoption of cloud-based surveillance solutions and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics into surveillance systems are expected to be key trends shaping the market in the coming years. The diverse end-user segments in Latin America contribute to the market's multifaceted nature. The healthcare sector is adopting surveillance for patient monitoring and security, while the transportation and logistics industry uses it to enhance safety and streamline operations. Industrial applications encompass security and process monitoring in manufacturing and other industrial settings. Competition among established players like Hikvision, Dahua, Bosch, and Axis, alongside the emergence of regional players, creates a dynamic market landscape. Growth will likely be strongest in countries with robust economic growth and improving infrastructure, leading to increased investment in security solutions. The market will witness a gradual shift towards more sophisticated systems incorporating AI and advanced analytics, enhancing their efficiency and providing valuable insights beyond basic security. This will lead to higher average selling prices and further fuel market value growth. This report provides a detailed analysis of the Latin America surveillance camera market, offering valuable insights into market size, growth drivers, challenges, and future trends. The study covers the period from 2019 to 2033, with 2025 as the base year and a forecast period extending to 2033. This comprehensive research examines the market's dynamics, competitive landscape, and key technological advancements, providing crucial information for stakeholders across the surveillance technology sector. This report utilizes data from 2019-2024 as the historical period and includes a focus on key market segments and influential players, ensuring a holistic understanding of this rapidly evolving market. Recent developments include: April 2024: LenelS2, one of the global leaders in advanced physical security systems, has teamed up with Hanwha Vision, one of the leaders in video surveillance. This strategic alliance positions LenelS2 as a reseller of Hanwha Vision cameras across the Americas. This partnership is pivotal, granting end users access to the comprehensive range of Hanwha Vision's IP camera portfolio. They can obtain these cameras through LenelS2's authorized value-added resellers (VARs), in conjunction with LenelS2's own products and services.February 2024: About 20 security cameras were installed in Cozumel City, Mexico. The cameras are equipped with facial recognition analytical technology to allow the city authorities to react immediately to any eventuality.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Government Efforts to Enhance Public Safety, High Crime Rates and Security Issues. Potential restraints include: Increasing Government Efforts to Enhance Public Safety, High Crime Rates and Security Issues. Notable trends are: IP-based Camera Gaining Popularity.

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 2022, the crime rate in Argentina was over 4,390 cases per every 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest figures of the study period. Robberies and thefts rank as the most common crimes in the South American country. During a recent survey, crime ranked as the third main problem of Argentina according to public opinion, only surpassed by inflation and corruption.

Violence has harmful effects on individuals and society. This is especially true in Latin America, a region that stands out globally for its high homicide rate. Building on research on subnational politics, democratization, and an inter-disciplinary literature that seeks to understand sources of violence, we examine the effect of municipal politics on homicide rates in Brazil while controlling for conventional socio-structural accounts. Specifically, we test the effect of four key political variables – party identification of mayors, partisan alignment of mayors and governors, electoral competition, and voter participation – and examine the locally varying effect of these variables with geographically weighted regressions (GWR). Our emphasis on political explanations of criminal violence is a rare departure from dominant accounts of violent crime, suggesting comparisons with the literature on political violence, and the spatial approach allows an analysis of the territorially uneven effect of political variables. The results show the statistical significance, direction, and magnitude of key political factors vary substantially across Brazil’s 5562 municipalities, showcasing the uneven effect of predictors of violence across space, and generating new hypothesis regarding the conditional effect of key predictors. In the time period examined (2007–2012), the largest left party in Brazil, Workers' Party (PT), had a beneficial effect, reducing violence in large parts of Brazil, the center party that held most local governments (PMDB) had a harmful effect in certain areas of Brazil, and the largest center-right party (PSDB) had mixed effects – helpful in some parts of Brazil and harmful in others. These results help us understand key features of the relationship between Brazilian politics and public security across different parts of the country, illuminating the political geography of violence in the region's largest country.

The Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) was a large international collaborative study of delinquency and victimization of 12 to 15 year-old students in seventh, eighth, and ninth grade classrooms. The study was a school-based study that drew on random samples from either city level or national level. In general, the cross-national description of the prevalence and incidence of delinquent behavior allowed for the assessment of national crime rates by comparison with the crime rates of other countries. The study was conducted in 31 mostly European countries, the United States, Caribbean and South American countries. The primary research questions explored included: Is juvenile delinquency normal, ubiquitous, and transitional? Is there a pattern of similarity in the offending behavior of juveniles across countries or are there any important differences? Descriptive comparisons of crime rates will call for explanations, especially if differences are observed. What are the national socio-economic or cultural differences, or the characteristics of legal or criminal policies that can explain such differences?