Colombia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Colombia
US State Department Travel Advisory
Reconsider Travel
Updated April 17, 2025
Colombia recorded 24.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is among the highest in the world. That places Colombia #18 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 fallen 25% over the past decade (from 33.4 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Colombia at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
24.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#178 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 25% over the past decade (from 33.4 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Colombia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Colombia, the homicide rate for men is 13.6× higher than the rate for women — 47.0 vs 3.4 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Colombia 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
225(2024)
Military Spending
3.4% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Colombia:
Updated information on civil unrest and kidnapping. Reconsider travel to Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Some areas have an increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayn), and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism . The Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime , kidnapping , conflict between armed groups , and the risk of detention . Country Summary : Violent crime, like murder, assault, and robbery, is common in many areas in Colombia. In some places, organized crime is rampant.
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.
Colombia Population & Demographics
Population of 52,886,363, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colombia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Colombia at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). Cited risks include kidnapping, civil unrest. The homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 is among the highest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Colombia?
Colombia has an intentional homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #18 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Colombia?
Colombia is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Colombia compare to other countries?
Colombia's homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Americas average of 20.8.