Niger Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Niger
Niger recorded 4.4 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2012, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Niger #74 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 remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Niger at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
4.4 /100k
Safety Rank
#122 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2012
Homicide Rate Trend (2011-2012)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Niger Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Niger 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
952(2024)
Military Spending
2.2% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Niger:
The advisory level was increased to 4. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Do not travel to Niger for any reason due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping. Advisory summary Do not travel to Niger for any reason. On October 30, 2025, the Department of State authorized the departure of all family members of U.S. government employees in Niger due to safety risks. The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Niger
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated November 26, 2025).
Crime
Thefts and petty crimes are common day or night. Tourists should not walk alone in Niger, but areas in Niamey near the Gaweye Hotel, the National Museum, the Petit Marché, and on or near the Kennedy Bridge are of particular concern. In general, walking at night is not recommended. Counterfeit and pirated goods are available, but transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. Carrying them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime
If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. There is no local equivalent to a “911” emergency line in Niger. U.S. citizens can try calling local police by dialing “17” on Nigerien phones or +227-20-72-25-53, but calls to these numbers often go unanswered, especially outside of normal working hours. The Embassy highly recommends hiring guards for your residence if you are planning to live in Niger. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. 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. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
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.
Niger Population & Demographics
Population of 27,032,412, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Niger safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Niger at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). The homicide rate of 4.4 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Niger?
Niger has an intentional homicide rate of 4.4 per 100,000 people (2012, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #74 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Niger?
Niger is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Niger compare to other countries?
Niger's homicide rate of 4.4 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.