Iraq Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Iraq
Iraq recorded 9.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2013, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Iraq #42 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 40% over the past decade (from 15.9 in 2008). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Iraq at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
9.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#154 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2013
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2013)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 40% over the past decade (from 15.9 in 2008). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Iraq Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Iraq, the homicide rate for men is 5.2× higher than the rate for women — 15.9 vs 3.1 per 100,000 (2013).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Iraq 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
396(2024)
Military Spending
2.4% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Iraq:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the U.S. government's limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there. Advisory Summary On March 2, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Iraq due to security concerns. U.S.
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.
Iraq Population & Demographics
Population of 46,042,015, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iraq safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Iraq at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). The homicide rate of 9.5 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Iraq?
Iraq has an intentional homicide rate of 9.5 per 100,000 people (2013, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #42 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Iraq?
Iraq is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Iraq compare to other countries?
Iraq's homicide rate of 9.5 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.