Iceland Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Iceland
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated May 5, 2026
Iceland recorded 1.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Iceland #136 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 (0.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.3 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Iceland at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
1.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#60 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1996-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.3 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Iceland Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Iceland, the homicide rate for men is 3.8× higher than the rate for women — 2.0 vs 0.5 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 Iceland:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise normal precautions in Iceland . Advisory Summary Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Iceland regularly experiences quickly changing weather, dangerous natural features, active volcanoes, and earthquakes. Review our information on weather and natural disasters in Iceland. 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.
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.
Iceland Population & Demographics
Population of 386,506, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iceland safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Iceland at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Iceland?
Iceland has an intentional homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #136 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Iceland?
Iceland 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 Iceland compare to other countries?
Iceland's homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Europe average of 1.6.