Cameroon Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Cameroon
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 15, 2026
Cameroon recorded 6.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Cameroon #55 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 60% over the past decade (from 4.2 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Cameroon at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
6.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#141 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (2000-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 60% over the past decade (from 4.2 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Cameroon Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Cameroon, the homicide rate for men is 3.0× higher than the rate for women — 6.9 vs 2.3 per 100,000 (2020).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Cameroon 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
231(2024)
Military Spending
1.0% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Cameroon:
There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise Increased Caution in Cameroon due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, health, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
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.
Cameroon Population & Demographics
Population of 29,123,744, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cameroon safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Cameroon at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Cameroon?
Cameroon has an intentional homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #55 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Cameroon?
Cameroon 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 Cameroon compare to other countries?
Cameroon's homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.