Republic of the Congo Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Republic of the Congo
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated October 2, 2024
Detailed homicide statistics are not currently available for Republic of the Congo. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Republic of the Congo at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
N/A
Safety Rank
N/A
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
N/A
Armed Conflict Context
Republic of the Congo 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
3(2022)
Military Spending
1.2% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Republic of the Congo:
Reissued after periodic review with minor updates. Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime . Country Summary: While not common, violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville. U.S. government employees must use two vehicles for all overland travel outside Brazzaville. In Pointe-Noire, they are restricted to beaches adjacent to their hotels due to crime.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Republic of the Congo
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated June 19, 2023).
National Parks and Wildlife Areas
: Heed all instructions given by guides or trackers. Armed poachers are present in some parks and forested border regions. Ensure you have the proper medical and medevac insurance for safari/adventure tours.
Roadblocks
: Armed soldiers or national police may conduct vehicle searches and check passengers for identity papers. These roadblocks often are poorly marked, and local authorities may target foreigners to solicit bribes.
Crime
: While not common, violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, carjacking, and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo. Opportunistic crime, such as petty theft, pickpocketing, mugging, vehicle theft, and burglary, are frequently reported. Most crimes affecting expatriates in Brazzaville involve financially motivated opportunistic theft, robbery, and/or burglary, sometimes involving the use of bladed weapons. Risk of crime increases at night and in remote or isolated areas. Violent crime exists in outlying southern and northern neighborhoods of Brazzaville due to armed gang activity.
Demonstrations
occur, though they have been on a small-scale in recent years. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Gatherings of armed gangs may occur in Brazzaville’s outlying neighborhoods; gang members have been known to perpetrate random acts of violence against passersby. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information. Internet romance and financial scams are not prevalent in Republic of the Congo. Those scams that do occur are typically initiated through Internet postings/profiles, dating apps, or by unsolicited emails and letters.
Victims of Crime
: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police (French) at +242 06 665-4804 and the U.S. Embassy at +242 06 612 2000. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. There is a CFA 12,000 franc charge for most police reports (~$20). Legal action or recourse is extremely limited. Emergency services are limited in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and virtually non-existent elsewhere. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care. Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Contact relatives or friends with your written request. Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion. Provide a list of local attorneys.
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
For further information
: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the Department of State's travel website for the Worldwide Caution , and Travel Advisories . Follow us on Twitter and Facebook . See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is extremely limited in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .
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.
Republic of the Congo Population & Demographics
Population of 6,332,961, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Republic of the Congo safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Republic of the Congo at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution).
What is the crime rate in Republic of the Congo?
Reliable homicide statistics are not currently available for Republic of the Congo.
What is the US travel advisory level for Republic of the Congo?
Republic of the Congo is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).