Afghanistan Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Afghanistan
Afghanistan recorded 4.0 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2021, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Afghanistan #83 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Afghanistan at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
4.0 /100k
Safety Rank
#113 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2021
Homicide Rate Trend (2009-2021)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Afghanistan Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Afghanistan, the homicide rate for men is 9.6× higher than the rate for women — 12.2 vs 1.3 per 100,000 (2018).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Afghanistan has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
260(2024)
Military Spending
1.8% GDP(2021)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Afghanistan:
There was no change to the advisory level. Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities. Do not travel to Afghanistan for any reason We urge American citizens in Afghanistan to leave immediately. U.S. citizens seeking U.S. government help to leave the country should email their complete biographic details, contact information (email and phone number), and U.S. passport number to AfghanistanACS@state.gov . The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in 2021. The U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Afghanistan
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated April 02, 2026).
Terrorism
Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) Decades of disorder and warfare have made Afghanistan fertile territory for international terrorism. U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals are primary targets of terrorist organizations.
Kidnapping/Hostage Taking/Wrongful Detention
: Violent extremist groups and kidnapping syndicates are actively targeting foreign nationals, specifically U.S. citizens, in Afghanistan, including journalists, aid workers, teachers, medical professionals, and individuals associated with international and non-governmental organizations. Criminal groups in Afghanistan will target any individual perceived to have money for kidnapping and/or extortion. Kidnap-for-ransom syndicates may also sell their captives to terrorist groups, with victims potentially spending years in captivity. Additionally, the threat of wrongful detention remains high as U.S. citizens have been detained and held for indefinite periods in Afghanistan under unclear or unjust circumstances.
Demonstrations and Riots
: U.S. citizens should avoid all rallies and demonstrations, as even events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little warning. Public gatherings and demonstrations have also been the targets of terrorist attacks.
Property/Business Disputes
Afghan-Americans returning to Afghanistan to recover property often become involved in complicated real estate disputes. Some have involved threats of retaliatory action, including kidnapping, and assassinations. Similarly, U.S. citizens involved in business or commercial disputes have been threatened with detention and imprisonment, and had their property seized to use as collateral. U.S. citizens have reported being physically attacked and family members have also been harmed as the result of such disputes. U.S. citizens who find themselves in such situations should not assume that either local law enforcement or the U.S. government will be able to assist them in resolving such disputes. Hiring a private attorney, early in the dispute, especially one who can act on behalf of the U.S. citizen in their absence, is recommended.
Communications
Large parts of Afghanistan are extremely isolated and landline telephone communications remain limited. Cell phone service is unpredictable, and areas outside major urban centers suffer from irregular and weak signals. U.S. citizens in Afghanistan should always carry backup communications such as satellite phones or handheld radios, along with a vehicle/personal tracking device.
Crime
Afghanistan is considered a critical threat environment for crime. Criminal organizations, including weapons and narcotics traffickers, undermine peace and stability throughout the country. Common petty or street crime exists, primarily in cities. Transient populations and internally displaced peoples may contribute to crime and lawlessness.
Victims of Crime
U.S. Embassy Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. The U.S. government is not able to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan, including victims of crime. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Afghanistan. The local equivalent to the U.S. “911” emergency line is “119” in Afghanistan. Please note that local operators do not speak English and that emergency services are restricted to the major cities. The emergency line may not be answered, and response times are usually longer than in the United States. Travelers should not expect or rely on significant assistance from local authorities in Afghanistan in resolving legal disputes. This is especially true for U.S.-based companies and their employees seeking local protection from extralegal efforts to resolve contract disputes.
Tourism
No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response services and subsequent appropriate medical treatment are very limited in-Afghanistan and may be entirely unavailable outside of major cities. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance that covers medical evacuation from Afghanistan. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Afghanistan Population & Demographics
Population of 42,647,492, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afghanistan safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Afghanistan at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). The homicide rate of 4.0 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has an intentional homicide rate of 4.0 per 100,000 people (2021, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #83 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Afghanistan compare to other countries?
Afghanistan's homicide rate of 4.0 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.