Cape Verde Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Cape Verde
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated December 15, 2025
Cape Verde recorded 7.0 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Cape Verde #52 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 fallen 34% over the past decade (from 10.5 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Cape Verde at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
7.0 /100k
Safety Rank
#144 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (2003-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 34% over the past decade (from 10.5 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Cape Verde Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Cape Verde, the homicide rate for men is 2.9× higher than the rate for women — 10.3 vs 3.6 per 100,000 (2020).
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 Cape Verde:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise normal precautions in Cabo Verde. Advisory Summary Cabo Verde is generally a safe destination for travelers. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution - Praia There is an increased risk of crime in Praia. This includes petty crime like pickpocketing or purse snatching, as well as violent crime like mugging, armed robbery, or assault.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Cape Verde
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated December 18, 2025).
Crime
: Petty crime and burglary are common in Cabo Verde, especially at marketplaces, festivals, street fairs, and public gatherings. Criminals target anyone perceived to be affluent, regardless of nationality. Avoid groups of children who appear to have no adult supervision, since the perpetrators of petty theft and pickpocketing are often groups of street children. Muggings occur often, particularly at night and in more isolated areas, and often involve violence. The perpetrators are predominantly males between the ages of 14 and 25 operating in groups of two or more. Due to inadequate lighting in many public areas, you should be especially vigilant after dark, carry a flashlight to illuminate your path, and never go out alone. You should also keep vehicle doors and windows locked and avoid isolated places.
International Financial Scams
: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
: U.S. citizen victims of crime are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 132 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(238) 260-8900 or after hours at +(238) 991-3325. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating crime and prosecuting offenders. 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 consent. Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion. Provide a list of local attorneys . Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States . Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are not common. 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. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment may not be readily available. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. There is no hyperbaric/decompression chamber in the country for scuba divers. 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.
Cape Verde Population & Demographics
Population of 524,877, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Verde safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Cape Verde at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 7.0 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Cape Verde?
Cape Verde has an intentional homicide rate of 7.0 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #52 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Cape Verde?
Cape Verde is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Cape Verde compare to other countries?
Cape Verde's homicide rate of 7.0 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.