Mexico Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Mexico
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated August 12, 2025
Mexico recorded 24.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is among the highest in the world. That places Mexico #19 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 28% over the past decade (from 19.5 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Mexico at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
24.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#177 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 risen 28% over the past decade (from 19.5 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Mexico Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Mexico, the homicide rate for men is 8.0× higher than the rate for women — 44.9 vs 5.6 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 Mexico:
Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Advisory summary Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico. U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas. Due to security risks, U.S.
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.
Mexico Population & Demographics
Population of 130,861,007, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Mexico at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime, terrorism, kidnapping. The homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 is among the highest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Mexico?
Mexico has an intentional homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #19 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Mexico?
Mexico 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 Mexico compare to other countries?
Mexico's homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Americas average of 20.8.