There were numerous difficulties in compiling a list of the 35 most dangerous cities in the world. Considering political unrest, terrorist attacks, wars, minor crimes in tourist destinations, and terrorist attacks, it is challenging to choose the 100 most dangerous cities in the world now. Making the list of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world, however, offers several advantages for both tourist safety and financial concerns.
The Global Peace Index reported that the average degree of peace in the world declined by 0.42 percent in the current year. With 84 countries seeing improvements in peace and 79 seeing declines in 2022, this is the thirteenth decline in peacefulness in the previous fifteen years. While the average country score declined by 5% over the past 15 years, indicating a decline in global peace, there is some encouraging news regarding a decline in the likelihood of terrorist attacks and the rate of homicides. According to Eurostat, intentional killings dropped by 4.3% in 2021, hitting the lowest number for the 2008–2021 timeframe. This is encouraging news; however, the data is only relevant to Europe. In other regions of the world, however, the situation is far from promising. Regrettably, there is little reason to believe that the globe will soon become calm, given the current state of military conflicts and the recent terrorist assault in Moscow.
While the homicide rate made by the United Nations provides useful data and the list of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world was made in 2019, those were not the only factors we considered in defining the most dangerous city in the world. The fact that there have been more murders in one location than another around the world says nothing. That list is not very helpful for our research because it includes things like the number of people killed in gang wars or domestic violence. It is necessary to gather a variety of data to define the world’s most dangerous cities. Like we mentioned in the 30 most dangerous cities in the world, political actions in some nations have an impact on safety, which we must consider. We considered the list of the most dangerous cities in Europe, considering the most dangerous cities in Africa, too. Along with the financial toll that conflicts take, we also need to take the crime rate into account. When researching this topic, the World Economic Forum considered demographic, technological, geostrategic, and climate transitions in addition to environmental threats and economic crises. For that reason, the list of the 35 most dangerous cities in the world 2020 is slightly different than the current one.
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We analyzed a variety of data sources to compile a list of the most dangerous cities in the world. We began with the list of nations most at risk for violence and completed it with the list of nations most in danger of political unrest. It is crucial to note the list of nations we selected from our list of the 30 countries most impacted by terrorism in the world. The lists of the nations with the greatest rates of crime, violence, terrorist attacks, and homicides per capita were compared with these lists. We considered the financial burden of crime, the potential for riots, the number of victims of human trafficking, and even the quantity of traffic infractions while compiling the list. We have not overlooked the nations with a high likelihood of war conflicts as well as the areas where war is first fought. Following the creation of the list of the most unsafe nations, we investigated the most dangerous cities within those nations to produce the most precise and distinctive list of the world’s most deadly cities. We only included one city per nation, even though some of the countries in our analysis had multiple cities listed in the same country. In doing so, we made room for our research to span a larger area. Remember that while we have tried to cover a wide range of countries and continents, it is impossible to compile a comprehensive list of the cities where it is now riskiest to travel because of a wide range of data and study techniques. Still, the list we compile has addressed the most crucial data on this subject.
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35. Riga, Latvia
There has been an increase in murders in Latvia lately, which puts Riga on the list of the most dangerous cities in the world. According to a Eurostat report from 2020, Latvia had the highest rate at 4.9 per 10,000 people. In addition, Latvia had the greatest percentage of female homicide victims (60%), compared to the EU average of 37%. Latvia has the lowest drug usage rating, according to Euronews. Because of its location on the European continent, organized crime is prevalent in Latvia, where corruption is regarded as a major problem.
34. Bangui, Central African Republic
Bangui, which is the largest and capital of the county, has become a hub for this illegal activity, ranking it as the second most dangerous city in Africa with a crime index of 81.98. Bangui is accustomed to violence because it is the epicenter of the current civil war, and fighting could break out in the city at any time. Meanwhile, criminal activity has increased due to the nation’s instability and poverty; foreign tourists are frequently the targets of pickpocketing and bag theft. Assaults and kidnappings also happen often.
33. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
With a crime index of 71.32, Kinshasa is the 11th most dangerous city in Africa and the focal point of much of the nation’s violence and criminal activities. It is also the country’s largest capital city, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the world. The city’s streets are rife with violent and non-violent crimes, including car thefts, violent robberies, and kidnappings. The possibility of terrorist attacks, however, raises further concerns for municipal safety. Avoid going to Kinshasa at all costs. If you must go, it’s best to stay near the Gombe commune’s administrative and commercial hub and avoid going anywhere after midnight.
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32. Sana’a, Yemen
Sana’a, the capital and largest city of Yemen, is among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities (a list that also includes Aleppo and Damascus, Syria). When visiting Yemen, it is important to remember that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) poses a serious threat to Westerners. Travelers who are not familiar with the area should seek out a local guide and should not be scared if they see people carrying firearms. For customary purposes, many men carry or own firearms. The United Nations has designated the Old City of Sana’a as a World Heritage Site. Civilization has resided there for over 2,500 years. Yemen appears to be experiencing an increase in tensions, putting the city of Sana’a and its distinctive cultural landmarks in jeopardy as the country’s instability grows.
31. Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia experienced relatively little turmoil and violence in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that swept over much of the Middle East. Still, there are a lot of contentious matters that Saudis are thinking about, and there has been some unrest in the nation. Travelers planning to visit Saudi Arabia should be aware that the nation does not grant visas for travel, and requests for the length of a visit can be made using the lunar months as opposed to the conventional Western months. Travelers who are not Muslims or who are not familiar with the customs and culture of the area should avoid visiting Mecca, as it is one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
30. Chi Minh, Vietnam
While most tourists find Ho Chi Minh City to be safe, it’s nevertheless advisable to use caution and pay attention to your surroundings, particularly when venturing out at night. Pickpocketing and other small-time crimes might happen, so be mindful of your possessions. Travelers who are invited to see someone in need of assistance or are just invited for a drink and a card game are the targets of extortion by Filipino gangs in Saigon. Vietnamese society has witnessed a rise in prostitution, drugs, notably hard drugs, and more serious crimes since liberalization and doi moi. It is believed that these alleged “social evils” are a direct result of society’s laxer regulations and subsequent Westernization. Due primarily to drug use, the authorities have been forcing bars and clubs to close around midnight for a number of years.
29. Maiduguri, Nigeria
The Nigerian Police looks into crimes in Nigeria. Nigeria ranks 17th among the world’s least peaceful countries, indicating that it is a nation with a high rate of crime. In the first half of 2022, the Nigerian army, bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists claimed the lives of about 6,000 individuals. The conflict between the Nigerian government and the Islamic State’s West-African Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Boko-Haram, is having a severe negative impact on public health in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, where Maiduguri is the capital city. It is resulting in widespread displacement and restricting access to medical care.
28. Yangon, Myanmar
The biggest city in Myanmar is well-known for its impoverishment and outdated infrastructure. There are roughly 5.2 million people living there. It is also believed that the health care system is inadequate. With 39.5 points out of a potential 100, Yangon—formerly known by its colonial name, Rangoon—is considered the world’s most hazardous city. Violent crime is the problem, and as long as there are protests and demonstrations against military rule, there will likely be conflicts. Travel to the city by US and UK nationals in 2021 is strongly discouraged, according to advice from the US Department of State and the UK Foreign Office.
27. Karachi, Pakistan
With 23.5 million residents and a population density of more than 15,500 people per mile, Karachi is currently the second-largest metropolis in the world in terms of population living inside its boundaries. Millions of people from northwest Pakistan have escaped violence over the last ten years and taken up residence in the nation’s commercial center, the city. There is a growing fear of militant invasion, gang violence, and political unrest in the old capital of Pakistan. In fact, “target killers,” or people who kill people on motorbikes for comparatively little money, are known to reside in Karachi. Gangs manage the merciless application of justice, loot banks, and operate smuggling networks. Severe gunfights between gangs or between gangs and the authorities can last for several days.
26. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, a well-liked tourist site that draws visitors from all over the world with its rich history, is located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. Although most visitors have no problems, it is advisable to exercise caution, particularly when traveling outside of popular tourist destinations. Istanbul offers moderate hazards, mostly in less-traveled regions, with a homicide rate of 2.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017 and a current crime rate of 47.55.
25. Tehran, Iran
Particularly since the coronavirus outbreak, petty crime rates have surged in several regions of Iran in tandem with rising rates of unemployment and poverty. Although the government has not yet taken significant steps to stop more families from falling into poverty, law enforcement and the Revolutionary Guards have taken an enforcement-based stance. Investigating the Relationship between Vulnerable Urban Spaces and Violent Behaviors in Tehran is the title of a study published in the journal National Security Quarterly, which is affiliated with the Iranian Armed Forces. This survey found that four types of street crime—robbery, harassment, bag snatching, and affray—are most common in 124 places throughout the capital.
24. Mogadishu, Somalia
In 1960, Somalia also attained independence, but not before suffering through several violent takeovers and repressive dictatorships. The civil war that resulted from these power battles began in 1991 and hasn’t completely ended yet. The port city of Mogadishu has made some progress toward recovery since 2012, as the nation has made positive strides toward democracy. Its healthcare system is among the poorest in the world, and thousands of people die annually as a result of the country’s continuous conflict with extremist organizations like the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab.
23. Damascus, Syria
Beginning with nonviolent demonstrations in 2011, the situation in Damascus and throughout Syria worsened until it became a full-fledged civil war, which has left the city exceedingly hazardous. In 2012, there were numerous attacks on the city, but the Syrian government was able to repel them and keep control of the country’s capital. Although the United Nations lists Damascus as a World Heritage Site, the city’s multiple battles during the civil war and the attacks that followed have damaged the historic ruins.
22. Mumbai, India
The number of criminal cases registered in Mumbai under different laws and acts increased by 25.6% in 2021, according to NCRB data, compared to the previous year’s total of 58,676 cases. Mumbai recorded 78,882 criminal cases in 2021, second only to the nation’s capital, according to annual statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau. Mumbai, in comparison to Delhi, ranked second among all main metropolitan areas in terms of the overall count of murder cases documented in the nation during the previous year.
21. Johannesburg, South Africa
With the ascent of the four cities in the aggregate rankings, South Africa has become an increasingly violent place. Johannesburg, renowned internationally as one of the most perilous urban areas, possesses the lowest homicide rate among the ranked South African cities. However, even this figure has experienced a substantial increase in crime, with the rate rising from 30.8 in the previous ranking to 41.4 in the most recent one.
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20. Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala ranks among the top five most violent nations globally, according to a United Nations report, with 40.6 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Guatemala City is rife with violent crimes, including extortion, homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking, and gang activity. A low rate of arrests and convictions may result from local law enforcement lacking the necessary resources to effectively respond to criminal incidents. There are locations, however, devoid of homicides, with only one occurring in the past decade.
19. San Juan, Puerto Rico
It is effortless for the mind to immediately conjure up images of the Caribbean, such as Aruba, which include clear-blue water, sunshine, and beaches. In San Juan, however, an increase in organized crime, the illicit drug trade, and allegations of government involvement in such transgressions have contributed to the identification of a cycle of violence. Indeed, the island, particularly in the city of San Juan, is not as secure as it once was. A surge in diurnal violence associated with the drug trade has deterred a number of visitors from visiting the island entirely.
18. San Pedro Sula, Honduras
In the previous year, the Violence Observatory at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (NAUH) reported that in the country of 8 million inhabitants, Honduras, an average of 20 murders occurred daily. 85.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 56 in Venezuela, 4.78 in the United States, and 1.2 in the United Kingdom. Despite losing the title of the most perilous city in the world to several cities in Mexico, the United States, Venezuela, and South Africa within the past six years, San Pedro Sula remains a highly hazardous location by many standards.
17. San Salvador, El Salvador
Since March 2022, violent crime in El Salvador has decreased substantially, particularly in resort areas and metropolitan areas such as San Salvador. Despite this, violent crime persists, frequently involving armed gang members in addition to common and minor offenders. Public conveyance is a particular target for armed robberies involving knives and firearms. Thefts transporting contraband on motorcycles commit robberies. Tourist areas are susceptible to robberies, particularly in secluded scenic locations, when traveling to one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
16. Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica, a vibrant, naturally attractive, and culturally diverse nation, has a few drawbacks. Numerous Jamaican localities cite elevated crime rates in densely populated tourist districts. Kingston documented the greatest murder rate among Latin American and Caribbean cities in 2022, which makes it one of the most dangerous cities in the world. At present, estimates place the homicide rate in Kingston at approximately 52.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. In just one year, this figure corresponds to 1,287 homicides in the city of Kingston.
15. Caracas, Venezuela
Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, has the third-highest homicide rate globally, and violent crime is a significant problem. Abduction, carjacking, and gang violence are all prevalent in the city. Political and economic instability in the nation has played a role in the escalation of criminal activity in Caracas. We put it on the list of the most dangerous cities in the world, following these facts.
14. Memphis, United States of America
Despite data showing a decline in overall crime over the last few months of 2023 compared to 2022, Memphis shot to the top of the list of the most hazardous cities. Memphis saw a rise in homicides in 2024 compared to 2023, but a drop in robberies, auto thefts, rapes, and severe assaults. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a decrease of almost 100 cases of violent assault and robbery per year. With 55 cases recorded in 2024, Memphis’ murder rate is continuously on the rise.
13. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, with an approximate population of six million, ranks as the second most populous metropolis in the nation of South Africa. Numerous affluent individuals in the nation own ocean villas in that location. Conversely, this awe-inspiring metropolis conceals a dark aspect. Cape Town becomes the most perilous urban center in Africa, with an annual toll of three thousand homicides. Gunpoint carjackings affected more than 18,000 individuals in South Africa in the previous year. It is difficult for the police to enforce the law, whereas the gangsters are not afraid of incarceration. It, in fact, enhances their social standing among their contemporaries. Fearing for their lives, witnesses frequently refuse to coerce the police into speaking.
12. Cali, Colombia
Cali, renowned as the salsa capital of Colombia, regrettably also bears the distinction of being the most violent urban center in the country. It is commonly believed that the eastern portion of the metropolis is the most perilous region in all of California. Multiple factors contribute to the high levels of violence in California, including organized crime, drug trafficking, and social inequality. Indeed, for two consecutive years, it has been unfavorably regarded as the most violent city in Colombia and one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
11. Juba, South Sudan
There has been a substantial surge in gun-related offenses as a consequence of the ongoing economic crisis. It is probable that the economic crisis will intensify within the near to intermediate future. Constant armed incursions target the compounds that house non-governmental organizations with international operations. Particularly prevalent are carjackings in Juba, a city that has experienced recurrent outbreaks of violence and lawlessness as well as a rise in such incidents, which put it on the list of the most dangerous cities in the world. Crime rates typically increase prior to the holidays of Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. Numerous crimes, including rape and larceny, have targeted foreigners.
10. N’Djamena, Chad
Extreme danger characterizes Chad, as terrorism, abduction, civil unrest, and violent crime all pose significant threats. Especially along the borders with Sudan and Libya, human trafficking remains a pervasive problem. Chad is rife with public demonstrations, including anti-government disturbances. Rapid crowding can result in violent situations. During a confrontation with protestors in 2022, security forces discharged live ammunition, resulting in the deaths and suffering of civilians. Particularly when traveling and in crowded public areas—including refugee camps, religious gatherings, markets, retail districts, hotels, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and transportation hubs—it is prudent to maintain a constant state of vigilance. All of these make N’Djamena one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
9. Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Located in the metropolitan area of Haiti, Port-au-Prince is an extremely destitute and densely populated commune. An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 people now reside in Cité Soleil, the majority of whom are impoverished to an extreme degree. The municipality began as a shantytown and expanded from there. It is one of the most hazardous and impoverished regions in the Western Hemisphere, and it contains one of the largest slums in the Northern Hemisphere. The capital city of the region is one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
8. Mossoro, Brazil
With an approximate population of 300,000, this burgeoning municipality witnessed 62.2 homicides per 100,000 individuals, Mossoro is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. However, homicide is not the only peril that threatens visitors to this city. There are numerous gangs, a low rate of destitution, and an ineffective police force in the city. Assault and armed larceny are prevalent offenses in Mossoro, which renders this municipality exceptionally perilous for tourists.
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7. Tel Aviv, Israel
According to one study, Tel Aviv is among the ten cities in the world where people may least expect to sleep well at night. Based on a number of variables, including air, noise, and light pollution, crime rates, and the standard of green spaces, CIA Landlords Insurance’s assessment ranks the world’s top and worst cities for sleep quality. In terms of “level of crime” and “safety walking alone at night,” Tel Aviv is performing especially poorly. Despite being the 41st safest city in the world, according to Numbeo’s Crime Index 2024, Tel Aviv is nevertheless involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. If you are planning a trip here, you may be concerned about terrorism and attacks from Gaza.
6. Tijuana, Mexico
Between 2019 and 2023, Tijuana recorded an average of more than 2,000 murders annually as rival organized criminal gangs from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco fight for control of the smuggling routes that pass through the city and lead to the United States. With a population that is less than one-third that of New York City, Tijuana recorded almost five times as many murders in 2023—a startling amount of violence. Tijuana is regarded as the most violent city in Mexico because of this, and surely it is one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
5. Moscow, Russia
At first glance, Moscow shouldn’t be this high on the list of the most dangerous cities in the world. In 2020, Rosstat (the Russian Federal State Statistics Service) reported that the murder rate in Russia was 4.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The homicide rate in 2020 was 7.3 as opposed to 10.9 in 2016, which is just marginally higher than the US and a notable decline over the preceding 20 years (the rate was 28.1 in 2000). This information comes from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Moscow saw its lowest crime rate in more than ten years in 2017. Unfortunately, there is little reason to believe that Moscow will soon be safe in light of the most recent terrorist attack in the city’s center.
4. Baghdad, Iraq
Baghdad has grown to be among the most dangerous cities in the world since the 2003 invasion. Since 2012, there has been an increase in large-scale attacks in Baghdad after a period of relative calm. Given the extremely hazardous circumstances and the likelihood of a terrorist attack or kidnapping, many nations strongly advise travelers to avoid the area. For their own protection, most visitors to the city employ a security detail; caution that traveling outside the International Zone is extremely risky. In Baghdad, car bombs and roadside explosions happen frequently. Although the tides of battle appear to be shifting in favor of ISIS, the terrorist group still holds sway over Mosul, the country’s second-largest city, which is situated to the north of Baghdad. It is highly likely that ISIS has its sights set on the capital as it attempts to expand its caliphate, should it be able to do so.
