Cuba Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Cuba
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 7, 2025
Cuba recorded 4.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2019, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Cuba #73 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 11% over the past decade (from 5.0 in 2009). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Cuba at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
4.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#123 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2019
Homicide Rate Trend (1992-2019)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 11% over the past decade (from 5.0 in 2009). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Cuba Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Cuba, the homicide rate for men is 3.8× higher than the rate for women — 7.1 vs 1.9 per 100,000 (2019).
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 Cuba:
Updated to reflect information on power grid failures and Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licenses for travel. Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime and unreliable electrical power . Country Summary: Petty crime is a risk for travelers in Cuba. This includes pick pocketing, purse snatchings, and car break-ins. Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is also on the rise in Cuba. U.S. law and regulation prohibit travel to, from, or within Cuba for tourist activities. OFAC regulates travel to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.
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.
Cuba Population & Demographics
Population of 10,979,783, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuba safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Cuba at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 4.5 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Cuba?
Cuba has an intentional homicide rate of 4.5 per 100,000 people (2019, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #73 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Cuba?
Cuba 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 Cuba compare to other countries?
Cuba's homicide rate of 4.5 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.