Kazakhstan Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Kazakhstan
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated August 5, 2024
Kazakhstan recorded 2.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Kazakhstan #101 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 65% over the past decade (from 7.3 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Kazakhstan at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
2.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#95 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 65% over the past decade (from 7.3 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Kazakhstan Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Kazakhstan, the homicide rate for men is 2.7× higher than the rate for women — 3.8 vs 1.4 per 100,000 (2022).
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 Kazakhstan:
Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Kazakhstan. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Kazakhstan. If you decide to travel to Kazakhstan: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter . Review the Country Security Report for Kazakhstan. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Kazakhstan
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated February 05, 2025).
Demonstrations
may occur. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, or on politically significant holidays. They may be accompanied by internet outages, and communications may be disrupted. Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Past demonstrations have ended in deaths and mass arrests. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
Terrorism
Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected and/or vulnerable targets, such as: High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Crime
The most common crimes encountered by foreign visitors are purse snatching, pickpocketing, assaults, and robberies, although all of these incidents are rare. Be vigilant and do not carry large sums of money or valuables on the street. Financial fraud, such as ATM skimming, is prevalent. The police sometimes conduct identification checks in public areas. Police are not required to demonstrate probable cause to detain individuals. Upon request, you must produce either a passport or an Embassy or Consulate-certified copy of your passport. Kazakh security personnel may at times place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms and telephones may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Harassment and extortion by imposters, genuine law enforcement, and other officials do occur. Never voluntarily give your wallet to anybody.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
Report crimes to the local police at 102 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+7) 7172-70-21-00 or the U.S. Consulate at +7 (727) 250-48-02 ext. 4901. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. 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 and after the local investigation. Provide a list of local attorneys. Provide 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.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
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 and 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 . At least 227 people were killed and 9,900 were arrested during the 2022 Kazakh Unrest which is also known as Bloody January.
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.
Kazakhstan Population & Demographics
Population of 20,592,571, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kazakhstan safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Kazakhstan at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan has an intentional homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #101 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan compare to other countries?
Kazakhstan's homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.