Bahamas Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Bahamas
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated March 31, 2025
Bahamas recorded 32.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is among the highest in the world. That places Bahamas #12 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 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 Bahamas at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
32.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#184 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Bahamas Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Bahamas, the homicide rate for men is 12.9× higher than the rate for women — 62.0 vs 4.8 per 100,000 (2022).
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 Bahamas:
Updated to reflect crime, swimming-related risks, and information on traveling with firearms and ammunition. Exercise increased caution due to crime . Country Summary: Violent crime-like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults-can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the "Over the Hill" area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents. Stay alert in vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present.
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.
Bahamas Population & Demographics
Population of 401,283, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bahamas safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Bahamas at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime. The homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 is among the highest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Bahamas?
Bahamas has an intentional homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #12 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Bahamas?
Bahamas 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 Bahamas compare to other countries?
Bahamas's homicide rate of 32.2 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Americas average of 20.8.