Nicaragua Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Nicaragua
Nicaragua recorded 11.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2021, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Nicaragua #36 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 fallen 10% over the past decade (from 12.7 in 2011). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Nicaragua at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
11.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#160 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2021
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2021)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 10% over the past decade (from 12.7 in 2011). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Nicaragua Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Nicaragua, the homicide rate for men is 6.2× higher than the rate for women — 19.8 vs 3.2 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 Nicaragua:
There was no change to the advisory level. Advisory summary was updated. Reconsider Travel to Nicaragua due to risk of crime , health , wrongful detention , and arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Advisory summary U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Nicaragua are generally not allowed to drive after dark due to safety risks. These include inadequate street lighting and poor road conditions. However, they are allowed to drive at all times in Managua and on Carretera Masaya between Managua and Granada. 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.
Nicaragua Population & Demographics
Population of 6,916,140, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicaragua safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Nicaragua at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 11.3 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua has an intentional homicide rate of 11.3 per 100,000 people (2021, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #36 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Nicaragua compare to other countries?
Nicaragua's homicide rate of 11.3 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.