Guinea-Bissau Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Guinea-Bissau
US State Department Travel Advisory
Reconsider Travel
Updated December 11, 2025
Guinea-Bissau recorded 1.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2017, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Guinea-Bissau #145 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 68% over the past decade (from 3.5 in 2016). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Guinea-Bissau at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
1.1 /100k
Safety Rank
#51 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2017
Homicide Rate Trend (2016-2017)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 68% over the past decade (from 3.5 in 2016). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Guinea-Bissau Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Guinea-Bissau:
There were no changes to the advisory level. The "Crime" indicator was removed. The "Other" indicator was added. The advisory summary was updated. Reconsider travel to Guinea-Bissau due to unrest , inadequate health infrastructure, and landmines . Advisory Summary There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Guinea-Bissau. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Consular services are provided by the U.S. embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Unrest Guinea-Bissau has had periods of political instability for decades, including political unrest in November 2025.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Guinea-Bissau
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated December 18, 2025).
Crime
: Non-violent crimes occur frequently. Law enforcement lacks the resources to respond effectively to crime. Expatriates and travelers are occasionally targeted for crimes of opportunity (petty theft, pickpocketing, theft from vehicles, minor assaults). Street criminals, aggressive vendors, and panhandlers frequently target foreigners in crowded areas and markets (particularly the Bandim Market) and travelers exiting the Bissau airport. According to law enforcement officials, travelers should also be cautious of the Mindara and Reino neighborhoods due to crime. Risk of crimes increases at night, due to Guinea-Bissau's limited security infrastructure and lack of street and building lighting. You are strongly discouraged from walking alone after dark or in isolated areas.
Demonstrations
occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
Scams
: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Guinea-Bissau. See the Department of State and FBI pages for information. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers often pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams center around: Romance/online dating Money transfers Offers of lucrative sales Offers of contracts with promises of large commissions Offers of free trips/luggage Lotteries Work permits/job offers U.S. visa opportunities Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based.
Victims of Crime
: U.S. citizen victims of crime are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Dakar at +221 33-879-4000. While local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, police and emergency personnel in Guinea-Bissau may lack the basic resources necessary to effectively respond to crime and emergency situations. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Provide a list of medical care facilities in Guinea-Bissau. 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. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys. Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy in Senegal for assistance.
Tourism
: Little formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists participate in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. 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.
Guinea-Bissau Population & Demographics
Population of 2,201,352, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guinea-Bissau safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Guinea-Bissau at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). Cited risks include crime. The homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau has an intentional homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people (2017, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #145 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau compare to other countries?
Guinea-Bissau's homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.