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
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.