In this article, we will look at 30 cities with the highest murders per capita in 2024 in the world. Violent crime rates vary significantly across the globe, with some cities experiencing alarmingly high numbers of murders per capita. Understanding these rates can offer insights into the social, economic, and political challenges that contribute to such extreme levels of violence.
In 2024, certain cities have become notorious for their high murder rates, making them some of the most dangerous places to live or visit.
The issue of violent crime, particularly murder, is complex and multifaceted. It can be driven by factors such as poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, gang violence, political instability, and insufficient law enforcement. Each city on this list faces its own unique set of challenges, but they all share a common thread of high murder rates that significantly impact their residents’ quality of life.
Latin America, in particular, has been a focal point in discussions about global violence. Many cities in this region struggle with high murder rates due to organized crime and drug cartels. Countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Venezuela frequently appear in statistics highlighting the world’s most dangerous cities. The reasons behind this are often deeply rooted in historical, economic, and social issues that create environments where violence can thrive.
In Africa, several cities also report high murder rates, often linked to political instability, civil conflicts, and poverty. These factors create conditions where law and order are hard to maintain, leading to increased violence and crime. South Africa, for example, has some of the highest murder rates in the continent, reflecting deep-seated social issues and economic disparities.
Countries with a high crime rate cause tourists and visitors to be hesitant, especially when other governments caution travelers. An example of this would be the fact that the U.S. The Department of State has issued a statement saying that it is unsafe to travel to Venezuela due to its high crime rate being higher than 83%.
North America is not immune to this trend, with cities in the United States experiencing spikes in violent crime rates in recent years. Issues such as gun violence, systemic inequality, and gang activity contribute to the high murder rates in some U.S. cities. Despite significant efforts to curb violence through policing and community programs, these cities continue to struggle to maintain safety and security for their residents.
In Asia, certain cities also face high murder rates, often due to organized crime and socio-economic issues. However, compared to other continents, Asia generally has lower murder rates, although the problem is still significant in specific urban areas.
As we explore the list of 30 cities with the highest murders per capita in 2024 in the world, it’s essential to consider the broader context of each location. These cities highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of violence, including economic development, social support systems, effective law enforcement, and international cooperation. Only by tackling these underlying issues can we hope to reduce the murder rates and improve the safety and well-being of residents in these cities.
Understanding the dynamics of these cities provides valuable insights into the global challenges of urban violence and the measures needed to combat it. By examining these cases, we can learn about the effectiveness of different approaches and the importance of tailored solutions that consider the unique circumstances of each city.
This list not only informs us about the most dangerous cities but also sheds light on broader societal issues. It highlights the urgent need for policies and interventions that promote safety, justice, and equality. As we delve into the details of these cities, we will uncover the diverse factors contributing to their high murder rates and explore potential pathways to creating safer urban environments worldwide.
Methodology
For our list of 30 Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World, the placement of cities is based on the crime rates reported by the online database World Population Review, UNO, research articles, and news reports. We also took into account the data that we have compiled for 30 counties with the highest rate of violent crime and countries with the highest crime rate in the world.
30 Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World
30. Panama City – Panama
Panama City is ranked thirtieth in our list of 30 Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World, which has experienced significant economic growth, and has a population of 1.70 million people. Despite its development, the capital of Panama still faces crime challenges, including petty theft. The murder rate here is 13.45 per 100,000 inhabitants.
29. Arequipa – Perú
Arequipa is ranked 29 in our list of 30 Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World. Known for its beautiful colonial architecture, Arequipa has a population of one million people. While it is generally safer than some other cities, it has seen an increase in crime rates recently. The murder rate here is 17.45 per 100,000 inhabitants. Travelers should remain cautious and aware of their surroundings.
28. Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, with a population of 1.07 million people, faces significant crime challenges, including street crime and theft. The murder rate in the city is 22.64 per 100,000 people. Visitors should stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas where they might be more at risk.
27. Barranquilla – Colombia
Barranquilla, with a population of 1.23 million people, is known for its lively carnival. However, the city faces significant crime issues, including street crime and robberies. According to an article published in The National Institute of Health, the murder rate here stands at 26.3 4er 100,000 inhabitants.
26. Cali – Colombia
Cali, with a population of 2.63 million people, is an important cultural center in Colombia, known for arts and sports, and it has hosted several international sporting events. Despite these attractions, the city has a dark side, with a history of organized crime rooted in the notorious Cali Cartel. Today, the murder rate remains high at 37.56 per 100,000 inhabitants, as organized crime continues to exploit the lucrative drug trade.
25. Johannesburg – South Africa
With a population of 5.87 million people, Johannesburg has a murder rate of 37.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite its economic significance and bustling activity, the city struggles with ongoing violence, highlighting the need for comprehensive safety measures.
24. Pretoria – South Africa
Pretoria, with a population of 740,000 people and a murder rate of 38 per 100,000 inhabitants, is another highly dangerous city. Travelers should avoid walking at night and be wary of armed robberies and gang violence. Using armored vehicles can provide additional safety from attackers.
23. Culiacán – México
Culiacán, with a sizable population of 2.37 million, grapples with a concerning murder rate of 39.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. While not as high as some other cities, the persistent threat of violence underscores the challenges faced by residents. Despite its cultural and historical significance, the city’s elevated homicide rate remains a pressing concern for local authorities and residents alike.
22. San Pedro Sula – Honduras
San Pedro Sula has a population of 801,200, but also has a murder rate of 41.19 per 100,000 inhabitants. Once the murder capital of the world, the city still experiences high levels of crime, including armed robbery and sexual assault. Petty theft is also common, and ATM users are frequent targets of attacks.
21. Durban – South Africa
Durban, the third largest and busiest city in South Africa, has a population of 3.98 million and a murder rate of 43.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The city is known for serious crimes such as rape, murder, and robberies, largely due to political instability and widespread poverty.
20. Recife – Colombia
Recife, a popular coastal city with a population of 1.65 million, faces numerous challenges with crime, including theft and violence. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the murder rate in Recife is 44.1 per 100,000 people. Travelers are advised to take precautions, particularly in crowded areas where they may be more vulnerable.
19. Salvador – Brazil
Salvador, a city with 3.96 million inhabitants, has a murder rate of 46.80 per 100,000 people. Despite its beautiful beaches and colorful skyscrapers, the city is plagued by street crimes, including child pickpocketing. Travelers should avoid public transport for a safer journey.
18. Port Moresby – Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby has a population of 254,200 and a murder rate of 54 per 100,000 inhabitants. The city faces high levels of violent crimes such as kidnapping and abduction, driven by civil unrest and political tensions. Travelers are advised to avoid traveling at night and to have a security escort if necessary.
17. Kingston – Jamaica
Jamaica is one of the world’s premium tourist destinations, with stunning tropical beaches and coral reefs. However, the capital city of this small island nation should be avoided. Crime levels in the capital, Kingston, are high, and thieves often target tourists. Most visitors will be fairly safe provided they stay in the appropriate areas. It can be dangerous for visitors to venture into the city without having a local guide them. According to the Loop Jamaica News, Kingston has a murder rate of 59.7 per 100,000 people.
16. Aracaju
Aracaju is ranked 16th in our list of Cities with The Highest Murder Rates. Aracaju is a coastal city in Brazil that has recently become a destination for low-cost vacations, and the site has seen recent investments to modernize its transportation infrastructure. However, the city has high crime rates and a murder rate of 63 per 100,000 people.
15. Cape Town – South Africa
South Africa has high rates of violent crimes and is home to a population of 465,000, grapples with a concerning murder rate of 64 per 100,000 inhabitants, placing it among the deadliest cities in South Africa. The city’s high homicide rate underscores the persistent challenges of violent crime that residents face daily.
14. Feira de Santana – Brazil
Brazil is another country with the highest crime rates. Feira de Santana is ranked 14th in our list of Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World. Feira de Santan has a population of 619,609 and is a busy commercial and agricultural hub. The city struggles with high crime rates, driven by a significant drug trade and violent gangs. The murder rate here is 67.46 per 100,000 people, making it one of the most dangerous cities in Brazil.
13. Fortaleza – Brazil
According to a Gitnux article, Fortaleza is home to nearly 4.0 million people and has a murder rate of 69 per 100,000 residents. Despite being close to famous tourist spots like Lencois Maranhenses National Park and Jericoacoara Beach, the city suffers from violent crimes, making it essential for visitors to be very cautious.
12. Ciudad Bolivar – Venezuela
Ciudad Bolivar has a population of 370,627 and a murder rate of 69 per 100,0000 residents. Known as one of the biggest mega-slums globally, the city is plagued by violence, drugs, and gangs. Poor law enforcement and a weak judiciary contribute to the rampant violence. Visitors are advised to use armored vehicles for their safety.
11. Maceio
Maceio is ranked 11th in our list of 30 Cities with The Highest number of Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World. Maceio is one of the most dangerous cities in Brazil. Mostly this is due to high poverty levels and the proliferation of drug gangs. Military police actions have helped to limit crime in the area, but the murder rate still stands at 69.9 per 100,000 people.
10. Natal – Brazil
Next is Natal which is a popular tourist destination with a population of 1.35 million, has a murder rate of 75 per 100,000 inhabitants. The city is rife with crimes such as physical and sexual assault, theft, and carjacking. The main causes of this high crime rate are poverty and violence between gangs and prisoners.
9. Ciudad Guayana – Venezuela
Cuidad Guayana is ranked ninth in our list of Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita. Ciudad Guayana is the second deadliest city in Venezuela and has a population of 758,500 with a murder rate of 78 per 100,000 people. The city is plagued by violent crimes, including rape, murder, and sexual assault, largely due to organized gangs and economic hardships. Visitors need to be extremely cautious when exploring the city.
8. Irapuato – Mexico
Irapuato has a murder rate of 81 per 100,000 inhabitants, despite being a fairly small city, with less than 900,000 inhabitants The violence in this mid-sized city is primarily due to turf wars between the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Irapuato has witnessed mass shootings in bars and armed men patrolling the streets, making it a dangerous place to live and visit.
7. Ciudad Victoria – Mexico
Cuidad Victoria is at 7th in our list of 30 Cities with the Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World. With a population of 349,688, Ciudad Victoria experiences a murder rate of 86 per 100,000 inhabitants according to an MSN article. This violence stems from frequent shootouts between criminal groups and law enforcement, rival drug cartels, and even within prisons. These confrontations make Ciudad Victoria one of Mexico’s most dangerous cities.
6. St. Louis – Missouri, USA
St. Louis has a population of 300,576 and faces a troubling murder rate. According to the World Atlas, the murder rate in St. Louis is 87.83 per 100,000 residents. While it is home to numerous major companies, the city grapples with persistent crime issues, urging visitors and residents alike to exercise caution in their daily activities.
5. Caracas – Venezuela
Venezuela has the highest crime rate in the world. Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, has a population of 2,682,801 and a murder rate of 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. This city was named the most dangerous capital in the world in 2017 and continues to be among the top three most dangerous cities globally. The high murder rate is largely due to poverty and inadequate law enforcement.
4. Acapulco – Mexico
Mexico is one of the countries with the highest rates of violent crimes. Acapulco is ranked fourth in our list of 30 Cities with The Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024. Acapulco, which was once a glamorous resort city, now has a population of 779,566 and a murder rate of 111 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it one of the world’s most dangerous places. The city’s hillside neighborhoods are dominated by gangs like 221 or Los Locos, who engage in kidnapping, assassination, extortion, car theft, and murder.
3. Los Cabos – Mexico
With a population of 351,111, Los Cabos is a city that has been developed relatively recently for tourism, thanks largely to its ideal location. According to the World Wild Schooling, the murder rate is 111.3 per 100,000 people. The drug trade is also high in the city, leading to violent conflicts between rival gangs.
2. Tijuana – Mexico
Tijuana is ranked second in our list of 30 cities with the highest number of murders per capita. As per, BBC Science Focus Magazine, Tijuana has a population of 2.05 million and is considered a dangerous city having a staggering murder rate of 138 per 100,000 inhabitants. Almost seven people are killed daily in this city, which is notorious for extreme poverty and violent crimes such as rape, homicides, and kidnappings. The primary drivers of this violence are human trafficking and drug trades controlled by various gangs, along with the ongoing rivalry between the Sinaloa and Tijuana cartels.
1. Cuidad Juarez – Mexico
The place that ranks at the top of our list of 30 Cities with the Highest Murders Per Capita in 2024 in the World is Ciudad Juarez. Home to 1.51 million people, Cuidad Juarez has a murder rate of 250 per 100,000 residents. Once a vibrant city known for its nightlife, tourism has plummeted due to rampant crime. The city is particularly dangerous for women, although violence does not specifically target US citizens. Travelers must be cautious of carjacking, theft, robbery, burglary, and murder and are advised to use bullet-resistant vehicles for added safety.