Bosnia and Herzegovina Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Bosnia and Herzegovina
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated December 12, 2024
Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 1.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Bosnia and Herzegovina #138 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Europe average of 1.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.2 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Bosnia and Herzegovina at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
1.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#58 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.2 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Bosnia and Herzegovina Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the homicide rate for men is 2.2× higher than the rate for women — 1.7 vs 0.8 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Exercise increased caution in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to terrorism, crime, and land mines . Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Theft and other crimes of opportunity are common, especially against tourists.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Population & Demographics
Population of 3,164,253, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bosnia and Herzegovina safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Bosnia and Herzegovina at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime, terrorism. The homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Bosnia and Herzegovina has an intentional homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #138 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina compare to other countries?
Bosnia and Herzegovina's homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Europe average of 1.6.