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#99 safest of 195Asia

India Crime Rate & Safety

Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for India

2of 4

US State Department Travel Advisory

Exercise Increased Caution

Full advisory →

Updated June 16, 2025

India recorded 2.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is low by global standards. That places India #97 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 24% over the past decade (from 3.7 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates India at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.

Homicide Rate

2.8 /100k

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Safety Rank

#99 of 195

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Travel Advisory

Level 2 of 4

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Data Year

2022

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Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 24% over the past decade (from 3.7 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.

World avg: 5.20.01.32.53.85.16.31990199520002005201020152020
India homicide rateWorld average

How India Compares

India2.8
Asia average2.0
World average5.2

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.

Who Is Affected

In India, the homicide rate for men is 1.4× higher than the rate for women — 3.2 vs 2.4 per 100,000 (2022).

Male victims3.2
Female victims2.4

Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.

Armed Conflict Context

India has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.

Battle-Related Deaths

437(2024)

Military Spending

2.3% GDP(2024)

Safety for Travelers

Summary of the current US State Department advisory for India:

Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism . Some areas have increased risk. Country Summary: Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: tourist locations transportation hubs markets/shopping malls government facilities The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S.

Level 1

Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2

Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3

Reconsider Travel

Level 4

Do Not Travel

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov →

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.

India Population & Demographics

Population of 1,450,935,791, growth trends, economy, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is India safe to visit?

The US State Department rates India at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 2.8 per 100,000 is low by global standards.

What is the crime rate in India?

India has an intentional homicide rate of 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #97 of 195 countries.

What is the US travel advisory level for India?

India is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).

How does crime in India compare to other countries?

India's homicide rate of 2.8 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.