Ireland Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Ireland
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated March 20, 2026
Ireland recorded 0.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places Ireland #174 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Europe average of 1.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.0 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.7 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Ireland at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
0.7 /100k
Safety Rank
#22 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.0 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.7 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Ireland Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Ireland, the homicide rate for men is 2.1× higher than the rate for women — 0.9 vs 0.4 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 Ireland:
Exercise normal precautions in Ireland . Advisory Summary Ireland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services.
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.
Ireland Population & Demographics
Population of 5,395,790, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ireland safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Ireland at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Ireland?
Ireland has an intentional homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #174 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Ireland?
Ireland 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 Ireland compare to other countries?
Ireland's homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Europe average of 1.6.