Mozambique Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Mozambique
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated June 16, 2025
Mozambique recorded 3.6 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2011, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Mozambique #89 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 39% over the past decade (from 5.9 in 2001). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Mozambique at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
3.6 /100k
Safety Rank
#107 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2011
Homicide Rate Trend (2001-2011)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 39% over the past decade (from 5.9 in 2001). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Mozambique Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Mozambique has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
151(2024)
Military Spending
2.0% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Mozambique:
Updated to reflect change in overall travel advisory level from 3 to 2 due to decrease of election related protests, and addition of Niassa Special Reserve to Do Not Travel section. Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mozambique due to health issues , crime, civil unrest, and terrorism . Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel To: Cabo Delgado Province, the Niassa Special Reserve inside Niassa Province, and certain districts in the north of Nampula Province due to terrorism .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Mozambique
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated December 19, 2023).
Crime
Street crimes, including mugging, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing are common in Maputo and in secondary cities. Carjackings are rare, but still occur. Pedestrians have been mugged at all hours of the day. Avoid isolated areas and walking at night, even in well-known tourist areas. Avoid walking along the Marginal south of the Southern Sun Hotel and Avenida Friedrich Engels and Rua Caracol. Avoid walking along roads bordered by wooded areas, as criminals may hide there.
Johannesburg International Airport
Secure your bags. Use an airport plastic wrapping service. Avoid placing currency and high value items in checked luggage when transiting.
Landmines
Mozambique was declared free of all known landmines in 2015; however, there could remain unknown mines in very rural areas. Seek local information before going off-road outside major cities. Information about specific safety and security issues can be found on the U.S. Embassy Maputo’s website . Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at +258 21-49-0723. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: help find appropriate medical care assist in reporting a crime to the police contact relatives or friends with your written consent help explain the local criminal justice process provide a list of local attorneys provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Fraud
The U.S. Embassy in Maputo has received reports of scams which originate online, and involve promises of large inheritances that require international travel. Victims of this type of scam are asked to deliver suitcases from one location to another, and become unwitting narcotics traffickers. Be skeptical about financial promises made by an online contact, and never carry anything that you did not pack yourself. See the Department of State page for more information on scams.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. There is some tourism infrastructure, often operated by expatriates, but the host government has limited capacity to regulate. 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 relevant 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 major cities to provide urgent medical treatment, especially outside normal working hours. 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.
Mozambique Population & Demographics
Population of 34,631,766, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mozambique safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Mozambique at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Mozambique?
Mozambique has an intentional homicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 people (2011, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #89 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Mozambique?
Mozambique 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 Mozambique compare to other countries?
Mozambique's homicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.