Guyana Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Guyana
Guyana recorded 19.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Guyana #23 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 remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Guyana at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
19.1 /100k
Safety Rank
#173 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Guyana Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Guyana, the homicide rate for men is 2.3× higher than the rate for women — 27.1 vs 11.6 per 100,000 (2023).
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 Guyana:
Reissued after periodic review with minor changes. Reconsider travel to Guyana due to crime . Country Summary: Violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, is common, especially at night. Local police often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Guyana. If you decide to travel to Guyana: Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking or driving at night. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Guyana
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated January 21, 2025).
Crime
Criminal activity, including murder and armed robbery, is common in Guyana. Exercise increased situational awareness in certain areas of Georgetown due to increased reports of robberies, sexual assaults and homicides. The neighborhoods of Agricola, Tiger Bay and Albouystown as well as Stabroek Market should be avoided at all times. During the day, exercise increased situational awareness at the National Park, Seawall and Bourda Market. At night, avoid the seawall east of Vlissengen Road, the National Park, and Bourda Market. Avoid walking in Georgetown after dark.
Sexual Assault
Verbal sexual harassment is common and usually takes the form of catcalling and using lewd and sexually suggestive language to describe women’s dress and appearance. This can occur anywhere groups of men congregate, for instance, bars, seawalls, construction sites, bus and car parks, and market areas. Reports of rape have increased within past year. Most victims knew their attacker. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call the domestic and sexual violence hotline, 914, and contact the Embassy.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence, especially against women, is common in Guyana. Some police stations may have a domestic violence unit; however, not all police officers are trained to handle these cases. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call the domestic and sexual violence hotline, 914, and contact the Embassy.
Border Dispute
The ongoing dispute about the western border between Guyana and Venezuela has reportedly resulted in assaults, robberies, extortion, and murders in towns on both sides of the border. Fishing villages and mining camps are the most victimized. The Guyanese military and law enforcement lack the capacity to adequately face the challenges in this region.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
Report crimes to the local police at (+592) 225-2700, 226-4585 or (+592) 227-6123, and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+592) 225-4900/9. The local equivalent to the "911" emergency line in Guyana is 911. 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 U.S. Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home Replace a stolen or lost passport
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.
Guyana Population & Demographics
Population of 831,087, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guyana safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Guyana at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 19.1 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Guyana?
Guyana has an intentional homicide rate of 19.1 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #23 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Guyana?
Guyana 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 Guyana compare to other countries?
Guyana's homicide rate of 19.1 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.