Namibia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Namibia
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 15, 2026
Namibia recorded 11.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2021, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Namibia #39 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 22% over the past decade (from 14.3 in 2011). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Namibia at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
11.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#157 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2021
Homicide Rate Trend (1995-2021)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 22% over the past decade (from 14.3 in 2011). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Namibia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Namibia, the homicide rate for men is 2.7× higher than the rate for women — 16.5 vs 6.2 per 100,000 (2021).
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 Namibia:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Namibia due to crime and health . Advisory Summary Crime Non-violent crimes of opportunity are common. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and smash and grabs from unoccupied parked vehicles. Potentially violent crimes are possible, including home invasions and armed robberies. Weapons most commonly used by criminals are knives and machetes. Health Namibia is sparsely populated.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Namibia
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated May 28, 2026).
Road Travel
Namibia has thousands of miles of unpaved roads. Road accidents, particularly on gravel roads, pose the most serious threat to visitors. Many gravel roads are well-maintained and can provide unaccustomed drivers a false sense of security, with road conditions shifting dramatically in certain areas. See recommendations below on road safety in Namibia.
Crime
Non-violent crimes of opportunity are the most common incidents reported by foreigners and include pick pocketing, purse snatching, ATM card skimming, and vehicle thefts and break-ins. Criminals sometimes brandish knives and guns. Violent crimes, including murder and rape, and property crimes increased in Windhoek over the last year. Robberies occur at roadside rest stops. Dress conservatively. Avoid walking alone, especially after dark, and displaying cash and valuable personal property. Make sure your hotel room or residence is well secured, including windows. Keep your credit card in your sight at all times while it is being processed. Consider using prepaid credit cards with limited funds when traveling. Take rest breaks in towns and/or at gasoline stations.
Transport crimes
Violent assaults on taxi passengers are known to occur; petty theft is prevalent and occurs on trains, buses, and in taxis. Be aware of criminals using remote key fobs to unlock vehicle doors in parking lots. Drive with doors locked and windows closed. Keep valuables out of sight and do not use cell phones or laptops while stopped in traffic; bandits may use smash and grab tactics to steal valuables. Hire taxis through a hotel or retain the services of a reputable private transport company.
Checkpoints
The police maintain checkpoints approximately 9 miles (15 km) outside of main cities and all major highways. During the holiday season, additional checkpoints may be established along the Windhoek-Swakopmund highway (B1). Remain inside your vehicle with doors locked and open the window slightly to communicate. Be prepared to produce vehicle registration documents, personal identification (passport, Namibian identification cards), car rental contracts, and/or drivers’ licenses. Proceed only when waved through.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (264) (61) 295-8522. Tourist Protection Units (TPUs) assist tourists victimized by crime in Windhoek and Swakopmund. Please contact: Tourist Protection Unit – Windhoek (Windhoek Main Police Station) at + (264) (61) 209-4345 or + (264) (81) 615-4401. Tourist Protection Unit – Swakopmund at + (264) (64) 415-060. The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund at 081 9682 can help with ambulances, police, and rescue services. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to 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.
Namibia Population & Demographics
Population of 3,030,131, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Namibia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Namibia at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Namibia?
Namibia has an intentional homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 people (2021, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #39 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Namibia?
Namibia 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 Namibia compare to other countries?
Namibia's homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Africa average of 7.6.