Kyrgyzstan Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Kyrgyzstan
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated February 10, 2026
Kyrgyzstan recorded 1.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Kyrgyzstan #123 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 90% over the past decade (from 16.8 in 2010). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Kyrgyzstan at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
1.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#73 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 90% over the past decade (from 16.8 in 2010). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Kyrgyzstan Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Kyrgyzstan, the homicide rate for men is 5.4× higher than the rate for women — 3.0 vs 0.6 per 100,000 (2020).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Kyrgyzstan 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
63(2022)
Military Spending
3.0% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Kyrgyzstan:
There was no change to the advisory level. The "unrest" risk indicator was added, and the "other" risk indicator was removed. Advisory Summary was updated. Exercise normal precautions in the Kyrgyz Republic. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Advisory Summary The Kyrgyz Republic is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our travel guidance for the Kyrgyz Republic to learn how to prepare for a safe trip. Unrest U.S. citizen safety may be threatened by political, economic, religious, or other instability and violence.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Kyrgyzstan
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated April 14, 2025).
Crime
The greatest threat to travelers is street crime. There have been reports of muggings of foreigners in downtown Bishkek at night and areas outside of Bishkek. You should limit travel to the Batken province (Oblast). Other common crimes include auto theft and pickpocketing in crowded places such as markets, especially Bishkek’s Osh Bazaar, large department stores, internet cafes, and on public transportation. While violent crime is rare in Bishkek, attackers do not always avoid violent confrontation with their victims. The police are generally responsive to reports of crimes. Harassment and extortion by imposters, genuine law enforcement, and other officials does occur. Never voluntarily give your wallet to anybody. If pressured by a police officer, tell the officer that you will report his behavior to the U.S. Embassy and to the officer’s supervisors.
Demonstrations
are rare due to a ban on demonstrations outside a single location in Bishkek. Despite the ban, spontaneous demonstrations sometimes take place in response to political or economic issues, such as protests in May 2024 targeting Indian and Pakistani students studying in Bishkek. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +996 (312) 597 000. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. 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 United States 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…
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. Crisis centers exist in some main cities across Kyrgyzstan, but English-language assistance may be limited.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage: Insurance Coverage Overseas Website
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.
Kyrgyzstan Population & Demographics
Population of 7,221,868, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kyrgyzstan safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Kyrgyzstan at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan has an intentional homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #123 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan 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 Kyrgyzstan compare to other countries?
Kyrgyzstan's homicide rate of 1.8 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Asia average of 2.0.