Moldova Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Moldova
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated November 29, 2024
Moldova recorded 2.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Moldova #102 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 rates have fallen 62% over the past decade (from 6.7 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Moldova at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
2.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#94 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 62% over the past decade (from 6.7 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Moldova Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Moldova, the homicide rate for men is 3.2× higher than the rate for women — 4.0 vs 1.3 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 Moldova:
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution while traveling to Moldova. This is due to unresolved conflict between the breakaway region of Transnistria and the central government. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Country Summary: There have been reports of debris from airborne projectiles landing in Moldova, however there is no indication that Moldova is being targeted in Russia's war against Ukraine. The Chisinau airport is operating normally although there are no flights available to or from Belarus, Russia or Ukraine.
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.
Moldova Population & Demographics
Population of 2,402,306, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moldova safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Moldova at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Moldova?
Moldova has an intentional homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #102 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Moldova?
Moldova 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 Moldova compare to other countries?
Moldova's homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Europe average of 1.6.