There isn't one single country with the "highest" crime rate, as it varies by metric (homicide, theft, etc.), but Venezuela, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Haiti consistently rank among the highest globally for overall crime and violence, with Venezuela often cited as having the highest crime index due to extreme issues like robbery, kidnapping, and corruption, while Jamaica and Ecuador lead in murder rates.
Crime rate by country 2025: 10 countries with the highest crime...
Iceland consistently ranks as the country with the lowest crime rate and highest level of peacefulness, leading the Global Peace Index for many years due to its strong community, low gun violence (police don't carry guns), and high social welfare, followed by other small, stable European nations like Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The top 10 most dangerous places
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia and Canada to be the most peaceful countries, while Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Russia, Syria, Israel and Mali to be the least peaceful.
In 2023, the rate of police-reported violent crime continued to be lower in Canada than the United States (252 incidents per 100,000 population versus 334 incidents), though the gap between the two countries has narrowed over the last 25 years.
Australia crime rate per 100K population for 2021 was 0.74, a 13.52% decline from 2020. Australia crime rate per 100K population for 2020 was. Australia crime rate per 100K population for 2019 was 0.89, a 0.29% increase from 2018. Australia crime rate per 100K population for 2018 was 0.88, a 4.6% increase from 2017.
15 Most Violent Cities in the World Based on Crime Statistics
Australia has been a perennial top ten inhabitant of the safest countries ratings since it launched seven years ago – and in 2026, we're holding strong in second place.
Countries with the highest homicide rates in 2024: Haiti (47.8), Trinidad and Tobago (45.7), Saint Lucia (42.8), Lesotho (40.9, 2022), Jamaica (40.6), South Africa (40.3), Ecuador (39.1), The Bahamas (29.6), Venezuela (26.2), Honduras (25.9), Colombia (25.3), Mexico (23.3). Data gaps remain for Asia and Africa.
According to the latest 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
Hagan wrote that, "Probably the most important factor in the rate of motor vehicle theft is the number of motor vehicles per capita in the country." Using data supplied by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, New Zealand had the highest auto-theft rate for any fairly large country in the world, at 954.0 per ...
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If you were to look at total crimes committed in the United States per l00,000 inhabitants the number would be about 4000 per year. That is to say that abut 4000 Americans out of every 100,000 are victims of some kind of crime each year in the U.S. In Mexico it is about 1500 per 100,000 which are much lower.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is considered the safest city. According to Numbeo, its safety index is 73.6, which is higher than other cities in Australia. It also ranked as the 49th safest city in global rankings.
New global safety findings highlight Australia's strong healthcare system, low crime levels, political stability, and high quality of life. From thriving cities to secure regional communities, the country continues to be recognised as one of the world's most reliable and secure places to live, work, and travel.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Here's a list of countries currently on the "Do Not Travel" list: Afghanistan: Due to armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Burkina Faso: Due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Central African Republic: Due to armed conflict, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations. This includes all United Nations members and observer states other than Bhutan, Iran and North Korea, and the UN observer Territory of Palestine. Additionally, the U.S. has diplomatic relations with Kosovo and the European Union.
Key takeaways. The safest countries in the world are Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Finland, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI).
Canada boasts clean and safe cities along with free healthcare and world-class education. It also has beautiful scenery, cultural diversity and friendly citizens. Those leaving the U.S. may miss the consistently warmer weather in the southern U.S., lower taxes and cheaper living expenses.