Equatorial Guinea Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Equatorial Guinea
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated October 7, 2025
Detailed homicide statistics are not currently available for Equatorial Guinea. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Equatorial Guinea at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
N/A
Safety Rank
N/A
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
N/A
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Equatorial Guinea:
There was no change to the advisory level. The "Other" risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise Increased Caution in Equatorial Guinea due to risk of crime , health , and arbitrary enforcement of laws . Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas . Advisory summary: Crime Petty crime is common throughout the country. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to reports of crime, even serious crime. Health Medical services in Equatorial Guinea are limited. There are no adequate trauma or ambulance services.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Equatorial Guinea
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated November 05, 2025).
Crime
Though violent crime is rare, instances of violent burglaries/home invasions have occurred. Travelers have encountered anti-foreigner hostility from police and other officials, especially towards those of perceived Western or Chinese descent. Many situations, including petty or street crime and official harassment, have the potential to turn violent. Security forces may stop people and request money. There has been a significant increase in attacks against women, including U.S. citizens, by small groups posing as taxi drivers and passengers. Victims typically are held captive for up to an hour, threatened at knifepoint, and robbed. Take taxis only in groups, use taxi drivers personally known to you, or avoid taxis altogether, especially in Bata. Be mindful of how much cash you have in your possession when entering a taxi and try to avoid carrying large sums of cash.
Political Violence
: Demonstrations are not allowed, and therefore are rare. If you encounter a large gathering, avoid the area, as it is likely an illegal demonstration; the police will attempt to disperse the crowd, including through the use of force.
Maritime Security
: Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea continues to increase. Pirates and armed groups operating in the region typically carry out attacks on vessels using automatic weapons. Attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and robbery of crew, passengers, and ship’s property are common occurrences. Incidents may occur close to coastlines or in open seas. More information on current conditions may be found on the Office of Naval Intelligence’s piracy page .
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police in Malabo at 113 or nationally to the Equatorial Guinean Ministry of National Security at 666-555-532 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+240) 333-095-741 during business hours or (+240) 555-516-008 after hours. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. It is common to be asked to pay between $50 to $100 in order to file a police report or obtain a copy of a police report on file. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Cell Phones
Cellular coverage is sporadic, and communication may not be possible outside urban areas.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas and 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 is typically available only in or near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
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.
Equatorial Guinea Population & Demographics
Population of 1,892,516, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Equatorial Guinea safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Equatorial Guinea at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution).
What is the crime rate in Equatorial Guinea?
Reliable homicide statistics are not currently available for Equatorial Guinea.
What is the US travel advisory level for Equatorial Guinea?
Equatorial Guinea is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).