Benin Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Benin
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated January 7, 2026
Benin recorded 1.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2017, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Benin #142 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Benin at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
1.1 /100k
Safety Rank
#54 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2017
Homicide Rate Trend (2017-2017)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Benin Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Benin 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
77(2024)
Military Spending
0.7% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Benin:
There was no change to the advisory level. The "unrest" risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise Increased Caution in Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso; Niger; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime , terrorism , and kidnapping . Advisory summary Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S.
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.
Benin Population & Demographics
Population of 14,462,724, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benin safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Benin at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Benin?
Benin has an intentional homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people (2017, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #142 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Benin?
Benin 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 Benin compare to other countries?
Benin's homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.