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
Safety Guidance for Moldova
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated November 09, 2022).
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 more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected 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.
Demonstrations
occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. Police have the legal right to ask for identification on the street. Carry your passport or a photocopy of it at all times. If a police officer stops you, ask to see his or her identity card (“legiti-MAT-seeya” in Romanian, which is the official language in Moldova.). Moldovan police have the word “POLITIA” printed on the backs of their uniforms. Traffic police should also display a metal badge on the outside of their uniforms. If a police officer harasses you or asks for a bribe, try to record the officer’s name, title, badge number, and physical description. Contact the U.S.
Transnistria Region
Transnistria is a breakaway region that is not under the control of the Moldovan government in Chisinau. Visitors are required to present identification to cross the administrative boundary of the Transnistria region; those without a Moldovan government-issued identification document may be requested to present a passport. Visitors may also be required to present identification and/or a passport at additional checkpoints manned by uniformed peacekeepers along roads leading into and out of the region. Ukraine has closed its border crossing points into the Transnistrian region. Taking photographs of military facilities and security forces is prohibited and may result in trouble with authorities. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S.
Crime
: Reported types of crime include: Petty theft (money, passports, small valuables) from hotel rooms, local apartments, homes, offices, trains, and public transport. Various financial scams, including: inflated bar tabs dating scams in which someone you meet over the internet asks for money to help family, buy plane tickets, pay medical bills, or gain an immigration benefit. PIN theft from ATMs by “skimming” devices that record the card information, hidden cameras, and “shoulder surfing.” sale of credit card information by vendors to third parties phishing schemes and bank account hacking internet auction fraud in which buyers fail to pay for purchases or send counterfeit checks as payment International letters and package mail are sometimes opened or pilfered.
International Financial Scams
: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
: U.S. citizen victims of crime, including sexual assault, should report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(373) (22) 40-83-00. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. U.S. citizens should be aware that there have been reports of widespread corruption in all areas of the judicial system, including case dismissals without cause. In most cases, an investigation will not proceed if the complainant leaves the country prior to full conclusion of proceedings. Persons wishing to report incidents of corruption may contact the National Anticorruption Center hotline: 0 800 55555 active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy 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 .
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.