Mongolia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Mongolia
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated January 22, 2025
Mongolia recorded 5.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Mongolia #61 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 19% over the past decade (from 7.3 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Mongolia at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
5.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#135 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (2003-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 19% over the past decade (from 7.3 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Mongolia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Mongolia, the homicide rate for men is 5.6× higher than the rate for women — 10.1 vs 1.8 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 Mongolia:
Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Mongolia. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mongolia. If you travel to Mongolia, you should: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X . Review the Country Security Report for Mongolia.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Mongolia
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated August 28, 2025).
Crime
Mongolia is a relatively safe country for foreigners. But both street crime and violent crime are on the rise, especially in the larger towns and cities. Crime typically peaks during the Naadam summer festival in July and during the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) festival in January or February. Most street crime occurs late at night, often outside bars and nightclubs.
Theft
Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur at any time, especially in crowded places like markets, train stations, and popular tourist attractions. You should take precautions to protect your personal effects when in public. The embassy has also received reports of visitors’ accommodations being burgled while occupied. These burglaries most often occurred when travelers were staying in yurt (ger) camps. It may be impossible to lock the doors to these accommodations.
Robbery
Mugging is the most common robbery of visitors to Mongolia. You are most likely to be mugged if you are alone in unfamiliar urban neighborhoods after dark, or in unlicensed taxis. Stick to well-lit and well-established tourist areas. Use registered taxis whenever possible.
Sexual Assault
Though infrequent, the Embassy does receive reports of sexual assaults perpetrated against travelers. These reports show that perpetrators are most often familiar with the victim. They include tour guides and employees of locations frequented by tourists, like ger camps and monasteries. If you are a victim of sexual assault, you may contact the Mongolian police. You can also seek help from the Embassy at +976 7007-6001. Female travelers should avoid solo travel in Mongolia. All travelers should research and hire only reputable tour agencies with established safety and security records, especially when visiting remote areas far from the capital. The police will instruct victims of sexual assault to get an examination at the criminal forensic institute, which is in Ulaanbaatar city or in provincial centers.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
Street Harassment
Street harassment is especially prevalent at night and in areas outside the capital. The most common targets of street harassment are unaccompanied women and foreign men accompanying Mongolian or other Asian women. Street harassment may range from verbal abuse to physical assault. Some nationalist groups also carry out planned attacks against foreigners. Most street harassment occurs in or near bars and nightclubs, and alcohol is often involved. All travelers should avoid walking alone after dark. They should also avoid unregistered taxis and limit their alcohol. This will help avoid harassment in public.
Drug Offenses
Mongolian police want to combat drug use. They often see it as a problem imported by foreigners. In Mongolia, drug possession and trafficking carry a prison term of one to twelve years.
Smuggling of Contraband Goods, Antiquities, and Wildlife
Smuggling of these items is prevalent across both the Russian and Chinese borders. Travelers have been known to be duped into transporting contraband goods or controlled antiquities from Mongolia. Be wary of other passengers requesting help with their luggage, as it could contain illicit articles. Mongolia’s smuggling penalties vary based on the item. They range from one month of electronic monitoring to eight years imprisonment. Fines from 450,000 MNT to 40,000,000 MNT equal to 130 USD to 12000 USD as of September 2024.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations are common in many parts of Mongolia. They are most common in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Even peaceful demonstrations can become confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters may block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstration areas and exercise caution if near any protests. Some Mongolian ultra-nationalist demonstrations may become xenophobic. This poses a risk to foreigners who might encounter them. U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by Mongolian authorities.
Alcohol
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you feel ill, stop and seek medical help. Alcohol is important to Mongolian social culture. Strangers may offer drinks to travelers as a welcoming gesture. Most of these offers are harmless and friendly. But travelers should be wary of accepting beverages offered on the street by strangers on the street at night. These are often a prelude to a robbery. The widespread use of alcohol links to many fights. U.S. citizen travelers have, knowingly or unknowingly become involved in such fights and injured.
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.
Mongolia Population & Demographics
Population of 3,524,788, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mongolia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Mongolia at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 5.9 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Mongolia?
Mongolia has an intentional homicide rate of 5.9 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #61 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Mongolia?
Mongolia 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 Mongolia compare to other countries?
Mongolia's homicide rate of 5.9 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.