Panama Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Panama
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated September 23, 2024
Panama recorded 11.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Panama #34 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 32% over the past decade (from 17.3 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Panama at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
11.7 /100k
Safety Rank
#162 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 fallen 32% over the past decade (from 17.3 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Panama Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Panama, the homicide rate for men is 12.8× higher than the rate for women — 21.7 vs 1.7 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 Panama:
Updated to reflect information on areas of civil unrest. Exercise increased caution in Panama due to crime and potential for civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory. Do not travel to: Parts of the Mosquito Gulf due to crime . Parts of the Darin Region due to crime . Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Panama. Country Summary: Crime occurs in Panama, including theft and residential break-ins. Crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen in tourist areas.
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.
Panama Population & Demographics
Population of 4,515,577, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Panama at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include civil unrest. The homicide rate of 11.7 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Panama?
Panama has an intentional homicide rate of 11.7 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #34 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Panama?
Panama 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 Panama compare to other countries?
Panama's homicide rate of 11.7 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.